Yoga 路 Fitness 路 Lifestyle
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Exhale your inner Goddess
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Vegan Vanity
A guide to compassionate beauty products
5
most controversial topics in yoga Summer 2011 // VOL. 1 issue 3 // $4.95 WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM
Featuring
Seane Corn
Off the mat Into the fray
Bending the Truth
Healthy Ageing and Yoga
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« NUTRITION | FUEL
CONTENTS » summer 2011
14 4 Publishers Note
breathe in
Do yoga
19 Sanskrit for Indulgence
48 Satya, Biomechanics & Yoga
YYoga Centres, British Columbia
Life and the Practice of Yoga
22 5 Most Controversial Topics in Yoga
50 Asana
Biggest Misconceptions 5 Contributors 6 sweatequitymagazine.com
vibrant health
8 Om News
25 Lucky 7 Easy Habits That Will Enhance Your Life
10 Teacher’s Story
26 Bending the truth
12 Community Sweat
Healthy Ageing and Yoga
58 En-Lighten Up
27 How Sweet it Isn’t Aspartame’s Sour Side Effects
60 Bridging the Gap
28 Baggage Handler
features
How to Stay Healthy While Travelling
14 Breathe In
How to Get Happy in 15 mins or Less
Off the Mat. Into the Fray. Seane Corn’s Journey
34 Travel Discover South Africa Giveaway
44 Night Moves Gentlemen Start Your Engines with Yoga for Libido Yoga · Fitness · Lifestyle
LIQUID ASSETS
South African wines have come a long way, baby!
FLIP OVER FOR FITNESS
Enter to win!
$18,000 TRIP OF A LIFETIME See page 3 for details
BIKINI FASHION
29 Instant Happiness
Eco-centric
Sun Salutations
delicious living 54 Soul Kitchen Rocco Your World
55 Bits & Bites Cut the Fat
56 Liquid Assets Southern Accent
57 Raw Ambition Chef Doug McNish
36
30 eco swag
love life 32 Greece is the Word Natural Surroundings Can Be Transformational
Exhale your inner Goddess
BUCKET LIST TRAVEL Discover South Africa
VEgAN VANITy
A guide to compassionate beauty products
5
mOST CONTROVERSIAL TOpICS IN yOgA
Featuring
SEANE CORN
OFF THE mAT INTO THE FRAy
Bending the Truth
Healthy Ageing and Yoga
SummER 2011 // VOL. 1 ISSuE 3 // $4.95 WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM
36 Fashion Lions and Tigers and Tie-Dye. Oh My!
41 Beauty
Yoga · Fitness · Lifestyle
Some Like it Cool
YOGA FOR LIBIDO
From 0-60 in 5 sec
SUMMER FLING?
Tantalize your tastebuds!
DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA
Cover Photo: Dave Gillespie
Hair/Makeup: Natalia Zurawska Stylist: Jen Tse Clothing: Tank by Diesel, Silver cuff bracelet from Accessity (136 Cumberland Ave.)
2
42 Beauty Vegan Vanity
YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
FLIP OVER FOR yOga
TORONTO FC MVP
CHECK OUT THE OTHER SIDE OF SWEAT EQUITY
FITNESS
Cape Town is calling!
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Who will take the crown?
RUN, FIGHT OR FLIGHT Muay Thai boxing, Spartan Racing & Parkour
SummER 2011 // VOL. 1 ISSuE 3 // $4.95 WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM
CANN ADRIAN
HIS NET wORTH ON & OFF THE FIELD Enter to win!
$18,000 TRIP OF A LIFETIME Flip to YOGA and see page 3 for details
Discover South Africa Giveaway! Check out our $18,000 BUCKET LIST TRIP!
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Volume 1, Issue 3 PUBLISHER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fred Antwi fred@sweatequitymagazine.com Associate Editor/Food Director Signe Langford signe@sweatequitymagazine.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR/PROMOTION MANAGER Debra Antwi debra@sweatequitymagazine.com
Tap into yours
ART DIRECTION Erik Mohr/Bungalow (creativebungalow.com) PRODUCTION MANAGER/STAFF WRITER Sarah Lichtman production@sweatequitymagazine.com
Intuition is a line of preventative products that offer a variety a special blend of medicinal herbal tinctures, juice concentrates and natural flavours delivered in a delicious add-towater mix. Intuition has created a whole new category, the herbal infused liquid concentrate.
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CONTRIBUTORS Lina Alexander, Kristof B., Greg B.,Tim Bermingham, Diane Bruni, Adrian Cann, Seane Corn, Michael DeCorte, Dr. Elaine Dembe, Stephanie Dickison, Dr. Jean-Jacques Dugoua, William Michael Forbes, Dave Gillespie, Yasmin Gow, Romel Griarte, Sara Elizabeth Ivanhoe, Jen Kirsch, Dr. Ray Long, Liana Louzon, Bonnie Lynch, Kristen Ma, Joy McCarthy, Doug McNish, Erin Moraghan, Valeria Nova, Deborah Peniuk, Nicky Poole, Ruth Sheridan, Rebecca Soni, Julie C. Trubkin, Jen Tse, Erica Rodefer Winters, Natalia Zurawska ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Boss Antwi sales@sweatequitymagazine.com CIRCULATION circulation@sweatequitymagazine.com
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While every effort has been made to ensure that advertisements and articles appear correctly, Sweat Equity Lifestyle Media Group cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. All material is intended for information purposes only. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editors. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission from the publisher.
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Owned and published by Sweat Equity Lifestyle Media Group 6-1500 Upper Middle Road West, #118 Oakville, Ontario L6M 0C2 info@sweatequitymagazine.com Sweat Equity Magazine is published 4 times a year (February, May, August, November) For advertising/sales inquiries please contact: sales@sweatequitymagazine.com Printed in Canada on paper from a sustainable source using vegetable-based inks. CONTACT US Readers are invited to contribute comments, views and photos.Article submission and photography should be emailed to: debra@sweatequitymagazine.com MODEL/PROFILE SUBMISSION If you are interested in being considered for a model/ trainer/instructor profile please submit photos to: debra@sweatequitymagazine.com
drinkintuition.com 4 YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Publisher’s Note » Don’t let anything hold you back
Inspiration, perspiration & appreciation. Wow! March and April were a whirlwind of activity—yes, lots of sweating!—but more importantly the last several weeks were jam packed with new experiences, new people, and meeting YOU. Sweat Equity was at Yoga in Motion, the Yoga Conference & Show and The Green Living Show and it was great to meet the people who read our magazine. You told us what you like and you told us what you want to see more of. And we listened. Look for new columns from expert contributors—Raw Ambition (pg. 57), Coaches Corner in Fitness (pg.16) and Dr. Ray Long continues to provide his expertise in our Do Yoga section. It’s not all perspiration: inspiration and imagination were also on the agenda. We had the amazing opportunity to work with yogini Seane Corn and we were so moved by her story. Read it on page 14. And speaking of awesome people, we started working on another labour of love - a documentary video called ‘What is Yoga?’, with, yes, Seane Corn, Rodney Yee, Ted Grand, Michael Stone and many more yoga ‘celebs’. We were fortunate to meet MVP Toronto FC player Adrian Cann and he graciously offered some of his work out secrets – check it out in fitness pg. 19 - along with his behind the scenes video
Fred Antwi, Publisher
footage on sweatequitywebtv.com. This issue is about travel too: the journey in and out. So we did a little dreaming of far off, exotic destinations for relaxation or self-discovery. Read Deborah Peniuk’s piece about running away to the Greek Islands for yoga and ocean breezes (pg.32), and do a little dreaming of your own. On page 34, check out the itinerary of our unbelievable giveaway—a two-week trip to South Africa—in partnership with Go Touch Down Travel & Tours. The lucky winner will be drawn September 1st! For videos, daily posts from our experts, and more, please visit us online at sweatequitymagazine.com, Stay connected - ‘Like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter – that way you won’t miss an opportunity for some SE Swag! My friends, we are honoured by your generosity. You’ve welcomed us into YOUR community with open arms, and we appreciate the opportunity to provide you with the information and inspiration you want and we look forward to your continued feedback and comments on how we can do better! And always; breathe in. work out. love life. do yoga.
contributors »
Nicky Poole Jen Tse
is a certified yoga instructor and the Yoga Community Leader at 889 Yonge Yoga and Wellness in Toronto. For more information on Nicky visit 889yonge.com
is a freelance writer and fashion stylist based out of Toronto. Her work can be seen in various publications. She has a degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Toronto. Her likes include fine food, The Smiths and random trips to places. jentse.ca
Julie C. Trubkin is
slumming it as a freelance writer until she completes her first novel. She is a ütilizer of obsçure characters and a philomuse. Fairly new to the practice of yoga, she takes great comfort in the sound of knees cracking from her fellow newbie practitioners-they are her ‘people’.
Michael DeCorte was
a bodybuilder, runner and personal trainer before becoming a yoga teacher. He studied Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga with many celebrated teachers. Taking his knowledge of exercise physiology and his passion for yoga and spirituality, Michael created Jock Yoga—a modern,athletic Vinyasa yoga class. jockyoga.com
Stephanie Dickison
a journalist and freelance writer with experience spanning a wide range of topics including food, social media and travel. Her book, The 30-Second Commute: A Non- Fiction Comedy About Writing & Working from Home, covers her career as a pop culture, book, music and restaurant critic. stephaniedickison.com
Dave Gillespie lives life on a knife’s
edge. He’s constantly exploring the territory where photography danger and sexuality collide. If Helmut Newton and Billy Joel had a three way with Diane Arbus, Dave could very well have been the love child. He’s currently taking bookings for weddings and children’s birthday parties. davegillespie.com
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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We have gifts, prizes and cool swag from our partners! Stay connected with us to WIN!
This issue we have a HUGE contest! DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA GIVEAWAY! In conjunction with Go Touch Down Travel & Tours we are giving away a ‘bucket list’ trip to SA - $18,000! Well? What are you waiting for??? Go to sweatequitymagazine.com and fill in a ballot! Can’t WIN if you don’t enter! See page 3 for more details.
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Photo (Vrinda Eapen): Kristof foto-studio.com
The Toronto Yoga Conference & Show was an incredible event. You may have walked the show, taken some workshops or laid down your mat in the Yoga Garden and experienced the wonderful teachings of some of the top-notch faculty that yoga has to offer! We set up our video cameras and with the expertise of Oliver Lee, we were able to capture moments, engage with you and showcase this amazing event for the yoga community. Vrinda Eapen was our absolutely lovely guide and host for the weekend – watch as she takes you behind the scenes, through the Garden and above the crowd.
« om news
Go With the Flow Yogi Simon Park brings his unique brand of yoga to Toronto By Nicky Poole
Log onto
SWEATEQUITYWEBTV.COM to view our interview with Simon Park.
Twitterati
Kim Kardashian has more followers (on twitter) than the Dalai Lama How influential are you as an online opinion-former? A San Francisco-based social networking index believes it has the answer. Klout, tipped as the next big thing in the rapidly evolving world of social media, is being described by its creators as “the standard for online and internet influence”. Using a complicated series of algorithms, the system adds up a person’s tweets, likes, pings, LinkedIn connections, Google mentions, status updates and other social media musings. The ripple effect of that online
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YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Simon Park is a teacher of Prana Flow yoga, the eclectic and creative evolution of vinyasa yoga made popular by his mentor Shiva Rea. Simon began learning yoga in 1995 when studying at UCLA and has devoted his life to the practice ever since. He received certification in 1998 through the highly respected training school Yoga Works and has continued to study with many of the leading teachers in the United States including Maty Ezraty, Chuck Miller, and Dharma Mittra. Based in Philadelphia, Simon travels throughout the United States, teaching his signature style of this ancient practice. And as his reputation grows, he takes his empowering and challenging classes farther afield with regular appearances at conferences, festivals and retreats throughout the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. A free spirited, nomadic teacher, he’s studied with many healers and shaman and fuses this wisdom into his classes. Aside from being a gifted yoga teacher—Yoga Journal proclaimed him one of the top teachers in the world for 2008—he’s also a talented healer, incorporating Thai Massage and other bodywork techniques in his gentle and sensitive approach. Park enjoys a laid back approach to life, a deep devotion to yoga and an ever-increasing following of devotees, from across the globe. And unlike many of today’s top teachers, Park remains humble. He does not tweet or facebook or even keep an up to date web presence, preferring word-ofmouth to fill his classes. His integrity and talent is widely respected, and in an industry rife with narcissism, it is refreshing to find a teacher who shares what he loves without actively striving for recognition. Simon Park began his Mighty Mississippi to Blue Mountain Tour on April 1 with sold out classes at Downward Dog and 889 Yonge and has promised to return to Toronto in November, 2011.
VS contribution is used to measure how much influence a person has online and, by inference, whether they are worth listening to. A quick look at Klout’s top 20 rankings shows how confusing the social media landscape can be. Justin Bieber, mop-topped pop sensation, has the highest score at 100, 10 spots ahead of Barack Obama at 88, who also trails the Dalai Lama (90) and Lady Gaga (89)
om news »
June 18 - 19 2011
Yogapalooza
Brampton - Gage Park and Central Public School Imagine a clear bright day as you stroll to Gage Park, yoga mat under your arm and the warm sun on your back. You gather with your friends and family to celebrate movement, music and meditation. As you pull off your shoes, a dancer welcomes you with a smile, a wiggle and a wink. As you inhale and exhale deeply, your heart and soul tune in to the experience. June 18 from 9am to 1pm - Laughter Yoga with Salimah at Gage Park, Kundalini Yoga with Snigdha Malik at Central Public School and Journey Dance with Goddess Grooves. June 19 from 11am to 1pm - Laughter Yoga with Salimah at Gage Park, Kundalini Yoga with Snigdha Malik at Central Public School and Journey Dance with Goddess Grooves. yogavision.com/yogapalooza
Yoga at the Ritz Carlton Hotel
Luxury meets yoga at the newly opened yogagurl™ studio. Nestled in the spa of Toronto’s first true five star hotel, yogagurl’s focus is on its hands on approach to yoga and relaxation. While maintaining the integrity of the ancient yoga traditions, the studio’s focus will be on creating an enjoyable, playful approach to yoga for all students. The semi-private classes are held in an intimate setting, with an average class size of 5 people, allowing instructors to deliver oneon-one assistance, meeting individual needs and interests. If your preference is to work one-on-one with yogagurl, private lessons and lifestyle coaching help you change your relationship to food and find balance in all areas of your life. In addition to the classes, offered seven days a week to hotel residents and Torontonians alike, yogagurl also offers workshops to bring out your passions. The studio provides twenty-first century tools like iPods during savasana to make for a modern yoga experience. yogagurl.com SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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«« teacher's NUTRITIONstory | FUEL
For the Record
Yoga teacher Yasmin Gow stretches herself to the limit and sets a world record By Yasmin F. Gow
It’s not easy putting yourself on display and trying something new. There may be naysayers who think you’re showing off, puritans who think you’re insulting tradition, and teachers who don’t think you’re ready. But then there are some who unexpectedly take you by the arm, and despite mountainous obstacles, their generosity inspires you to persevere. I’m Yasmin. I teach yoga and live in Montreal. Last year, I embarked on a spiritual quest in search of the true meaning of yoga. Unlike many pilgrims who travel to India on such a journey, I felt that with tapas (austere, focused discipline), I might uncover some greater truths about this ancient practice and myself regardless of my locale. On April 18, 2010, the 108th day of the year, I embarked on a kora (pilgrimage) by committing to practice 108 sun salutations every day for 108 consecutive days. The number 108 is auspicious in many spiritual traditions. My daily routine consisted of two to three hours of sun salutations and meditation. I also created a blog to share my experience, which added at least another hour to my regime, and since I continued a full teaching schedule, the
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many late nights and early mornings challenged my professional and private life. I endured several minor yet cumbersome injuries, along with bouts of deep fatigue and disputes with other yoga teachers, who disagreed with what I was doing. But, there were miracles too. Around day 40, I noticed my body was healing itself almost overnight. I recall a terrible wrist pain, which would normally require several weeks of rest, disappearing over two days of slow and concentrated sun salutations. On another occasion, four deep cuts healed within 24 hours. The greatest miracle occurred at the end of my adventure, when several mentors and friends encouraged me to merge day 107 and 108 into one long practice and challenge the Guinness World Record™ for the longest yoga marathon. That record stood at 29 hours, and had never been attempted by a woman. With only three weeks to prepare, my supporters helped me assemble a team of nearly 50 volunteers to fulfill the various requirements of Guinness World Records™ and to organize my fundraising efforts for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. These 32 hours of continuous practice were by far the most amazing experience
YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
“These 32 hours of continuous practice were by far the most amazing experience…” of my life and I am forever grateful. And though I may never again replicate this rigorous 108 day practice, nor summarize the meaning of yoga in words, I have a renewed admiration for what yoga gives me: a space to meet and embrace the light and dark parts of my being. To read more about Yasmin’s adventure, visit: 108x108.org Yasmin F. Gow is a Montreal based yoga teacher, writer and speaker. She owns Om West Holistic Centre in Pointe Claire, QC and is the Guinness World Record™ Holder for the longest yoga marathon lasting 32 hours. yasminyoga.com
OAKVILLE
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NOW OPEN
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21 DAY PROGRAM COMING TO OUR OAKVILLE LOCATION THIS SPRING! COMMITMENT TO CHANGE CAN PROVIDE THE AWARENESS NEEDED TO DEVELOP A HEALTHY HABIT OR TO DROP A DESTRUCTIVE HABIT. A FIRST STEP IN EXPERIENCING THE CHALLENGE AND THE SATISFACTION OF LASTING CHANGE IS TO COMMIT TO 21 CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF YOGA PRACTICE. * 3 WEEKS OF UNLIMITED YOGA * WEEKLY MEETINGS * A SEMINAR WITH DR. JASON LEE
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OAKVILLE 131 KERR STREET 905.845.YOGA OAKVILLE@SOMELIKEITHOT.CA /// BURLINGTON 952 CENTURY DRIVE 905.319.8HOT BURLINGTON@SOMELIKEITHOT.CA
« community
Community
Sweat Special events around the GTA June 11-12, 2011
July – September 2011
July 2, 2011
RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER
RONA MS Bike Tours
Pride Run
One June 11 and 12, 2011 thousands of dedicated men and women will embark on a twoday bike journey covering 200km or 200miles from Toronto to Niagara Falls, in the 4th annual Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. 2 in 5 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The Ride has raised over $45 million in the last three years, having an outstanding impact in funding cancer research,treatment and care at Princess Margaret. conquercancer.ca
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Experience the camaraderie of riding together to help end MS at the RONA MS Bike Tours. Ranging from 30 to 150 KM, these one or two-day tours are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Enjoy food and beverages, rest stops, cyclist support vehicles, and more! msbiketours.ca
YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Join us on Saturday, July 2, 2011 @ 10:00AM at Church and Wellesley, Toronto - for the 16th annual Pride Run! This year’s Run proceeds will benefit the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) and The Triangle Program. A portion of this year’s proceeds will also go towards the Pride and Remembrance Foundation. The goal for this year’s run is to break an alltime fundraising record of $100,000. Register/Donate: priderun.org
community »
June 25 and 26, 2011
July 22, 2011
23rd Annual Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival sponsored by President’s Choice®
Oxfam Trailwalker
“Oxfam Trailwalker is a fundraising and team building event designed for true adventurers. Starting on July 22, teams of four have only 48 hours to complete a 100-kilometer section of the picturesque Ganaraska Hiking Trail, just north of Toronto. Each team must start together, stick together and finish together. The event is not just physically demanding, but it is also a fundraising challenge with all proceeds dedicated to Oxfam Canada’s efforts in making a difference in the lives of women,girls, men and boys living in poverty. Support Oxfam’s humanitarian work around the world while also discovering what your team is made of. Learn more about Oxfam Trailwalker in Canada and the wonderful work it does in Africa, The Americas and Asia. oxfamtrailwalker.ca.
The Festival promises a two-day exciting event that brings sports, team spirit and community spirit to Toronto Centre Island on June 25 and 26, 2011. It is one of the biggest dragon boat festivals in North America. Admission is free! A fundraiser for Canadian Diabetes Association to help children with type 1 diabetes attend award-winning summer camps, and help fund research in the GTA teaching hospitals to find a cure for diabetes. dragonboats.com
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« NUTRITION | FUEL
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Offthe
breathe in »
By Bonnie Lynch, PhD Photos by Dave Gillespie
Seane Corn’s journey, from party girl to yoga hero.
If you’ve attended a major yoga happening in the last ten years, chances are good that Seane Corn was on the roster. We caught up with the lithe and lovely Corn at the Toronto Yoga Conference recently, to find out how a yoga star is born.
Mat. Into
Fray.
he
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« breathe in
W
atching Corn in action as she guides students through their paces, you could easily imagine that she must have been a yoga wunderkind who started practicing in the womb. Not so, says Corn. She grew up in New Jersey and moved to New York City in the early 80s, at the tender age of seventeen, but not to practice yoga. “From seventeen to about nineteen, I was a party girl, and I just partied a lot. I enjoyed drugs, drinking, you name it.” Corn was working at a café that turned out to be a cosmic magnet for yoga heavyweights – owner David Life (who later created the Jivamukti School of Yoga), his partner Sharon Gannon, and Eddie Stern (who founded New York’s Ashtanga Yoga Center) all spun into Corn’s orbit and would come to influence her later development. But her earliest and most poignant spiritual inspiration came not at the feet of future gurus or from stacks of ancient sacred texts, but from – where else? – behind the bar of a gay male sex club. In the mid 1980s, while working as an under-aged bartender, Corn was befriended by a lonely man she calls Billy, who frequented the club. “I was doing a lot of drugs at that time and he would give me a hard time about [it], and I’d be like, ‘Please! You’re chained to a wall, and you’re gonna judge me?’” Despite the hardships in his life, including being ostracized from his family and church back in Ohio, and his contraction of the AIDS virus that would eventually kill him, Billy taught Corn to see God everywhere. He saw God even in Danny the Wonder Pony, a man who Corn says “came into the club every single night, butt-naked except for a pair of chaps and a saddle.” For a dollar, she explains, would-be cowboys could take a ride on Danny’s back and flail him with a small switch. Billy’s gentle insight struck Corn like a lightning bolt: no matter how outlandish, outspoken, or downright awful a person’s outward story was, if you could ignore the story, you’d find the pure soul underneath. Corn says, “‘Ignore the story and see the soul’ is probably the most important yogic teaching that I’ve ever received.” After moving to L.A. in 1992, she started studying yoga in earnest. In 1994, she took instructor training, then spent the next several years learning from the leaders of various schools of yoga and steeping herself in other spiritual traditions. Fast-forward to the present, and Corn has transformed herself from party girl to yoga sensation. The former spiritual doubter has developed an international reputation for spiritually inspired yoga. She’s graced the covers of over a dozen magazines (including this one), and she has pioneered a large-scale effort to bring yoga out of the studio and into the gritty, messy arenas of real life. “There was a period in my yoga practice where I realized I actually had decent tools to help me deal with stress, or crisis or conflict – not perfect – but good skills that I could utilize in those moments of crises. And I felt a lot of compassion and a lot of love, and a little voice was in my head that said, ‘Now what?’ It just didn’t feel right that it was on my mat only.” She’d heard about an organization called Children of the Night, which provides shelter and education for adolescent prostitutes. 16
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Chuckling in retrospect at her own naïve idealism, she remembers thinking, “These kids, you know, need a little yoga, probably have some body image issues.” Enter that gritty, messy arena of real life: “What I walked into at that time was fifteen young girls – Black, Hispanic, gang kids, rough, covered in tattoos – all of them were on the streets; and they were not interested in me, in yoga, in anything that was coming out of my mouth. They were mean, resistant, critical, arrogant, clearly had issues with authority, and it was the longest hour of my entire life.” After the session, she remembers sitting in her car, internally raging against the system in which the girls were trapped, a system that she knew would continually reproduce “cracked-out, alcoholic baby ho’s.” But the true source of her rage became clear in an instant. “This is what was spinning in my head – judgment – when all of a sudden I burst out crying, and I was overwhelmed with the realization that what I had actually witnessed was fifteen [aspects] of my disowned self. I’m angry. I’m judgmental. I’m critical. I have issues with authority.” The list went on. “All the things I could not stand in those kids, it was because I had just shoved the ugly part of myself behind me, and suddenly, when I was confronted with it, I wanted out.” Of course, if Corn had bailed at this juncture, the story would end here. But she returned, forsaking her magic wand of “teaching” the girls for the set of yoga-inspired tools that included just listening and sharing her own vulnerability. “As I worked with them longer, I realized that what was underneath their rage was their grief, and that what was underneath my rage was my grief.” As she worked with the grief – her own as well as the girls’ – they began to heal each other. In hindsight, Corn says, this first yoga service project was not selfless at all, because she was getting back more than she could ever give. “After that, I was hooked.” With the growing popularity of yoga in the West, and Corn’s personal notoriety, she felt the time was ripe to channel people’s enthusiasm for yoga into a force for social good. In 2007, she founded Off the Mat and into the World: a non-profit dedicated to using yoga as a means to support social activism. The organization provides leadership training, local support for groups of activist yogis, and domestic and international service projects. Corn notes that Off the Mat takes a slightly different tack than do most social activism outfits. Rather than focus on uniting individuals behind a single worthy cause, it considers basic devotion to yoga and its values as the glue that can bind people together to promote various social causes. A local group member could ask for help with a letter-writing campaign, for example, and might later assist someone else with an urban gardening project. It’s a sort of goodness-bartering concept. Although Corn has retained much of her youthful idealism, she also recognizes that many yoga devotees are not on board with the overtly spiritual aspects of yoga, and are more comfortable thinking of the practice as calisthenics with exotic names. How does she reconcile this attitude with her own conviction that spirituality is integral to yoga? “Thank God there’s myriad different kinds of yoga that are meant to attract different people at different stages of their experience, and with different personalities. So for some people who’ll come into my class, they’re going to quite frankly be turned off to the prayer, now. You know, they need to be in the practice in a different way. And if it’s part of their karma, part of their experience, it’ll evolve into something else.” Log onto
SWEATEQUITYWEBTV.COM
to view behind the scenes footage with Seane Corn
Hair/Makeup: Natalia Zurawska represented by Kris Lyon for PUSH Management Stylist: Jen Tse, Clothing: Titika (page 14), Pink Tartan (this page)
breathe in »
And I felt a lot of compassion and a lot of love, and a little voice was in my head that said, ‘Now what?’ SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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TEACHER TRAINING FALL 2011
Module I with Diane Bruni Weekend Format: Downtown Location
September 30 - November 20, 2011
Intensive Format: Stouffville November 4 - 13, 2011 Please go to
www.downwarddog.com
for a complete list of upcoming Teacher Training Programs
Contact Info: info@downwarddog.com | 416.703.8805 BEACH: 1977 Queen Street East | DOWNTOWN: 735 Queen Street West, 2nd Floor
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breathe in »
Sanskrit for
Indulgence
YYoga Centers, British Columbia,
a delicious yoga-spa hybrid
Photos: courtesy YYoga
By Stephanie Dickison
With so many possibilities, why would you go and do the same yoga class every week? Award-winning YYoga Centers offer a staggering 700 classes a week and 14 different types of yoga. Pretty impressive. But perhaps what is most impressive about YYoga is their commitment to creating community. It’s at the center of everything they do. At the seven YYoga locations throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Whistler, all are welcome. Which means, whether clients are novices and need to use blocks and straps
to get into position or practically pro, and can slip into the crow pose with ease, everyone is made to feel comfortable here. Founded in 2007 by Terry McBride and Lara Kozan, the centers are spaces that encourage clients to engage in wellness and interact with one another, building relationships and a sense of community. And what beautiful spaces they are! The YYoga centers have been individually designed – another reason to visit them all—more like spas than gyms. McBride and Kozan set out to create a place where the stresses of the day melt
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« breathe in away, and each facility is loaded with amenities geared to feed body and soul. Showers, saunas and lounges—all constructed from eco-friendly materials, resulting in surroundings as peaceful and healing as laying in savasana. Classes of every style—flow, power, ashtanga, YHot, hatha, anusara, kundalini, Pilates, core, yin, meditation, Yride—are offered from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Membership entitles clients to use any YYoga center and learn from a variety of highly trained, carefully selected teachers and practitioners. But hey, you know what they say about all work and no play. Not up to a workout? No worries. The centers are great places to enjoy a treatment— massage, physio, chiropractic— unwind in the sauna, shop the yoga boutique, or simply relax and enjoy a cup of tea in a tranquil space. YYoga also offers workshops, private sessions, retreats and teacher training. yyoga.ca
So much more than a studio Each center offers:
>> shower and change room facilities stocked with natural hair and body products >> mat and towel service >> infrared saunas >> wellness treatment rooms including registered massage therapy, chiropractic, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, physiotherapy and nutritional counseling services >> tranquil lounge with complimentary tea >> eco-boutique with yoga and lifestyle gear, jewelry and sustainable products
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Healthy body Healthy mind Yoga is enhancing your sense of wellbeing. Let GNC help you nourish your body. GNC’s performance program for active women and men delivers the energy and nutritional support your body requires when it is achieving peak performance. And it’s all in one handy, organized little Vitapak that you can pop into your pocket. Take it to the gym, to the office, or your next competition. Women’s Ultra Mega® Active Vitapak and Mega Men® Sport are small, light, optimally nutritionally balanced packs of premium multiple vitamins and minerals. These energy-enhancing, muscle supporting, thermogenic formulas helps boost metabolism, optimally burn calories and enhance cellular energy utilization, while antioxidants protect your cells from damaging free radicals. GNC Women’s Ultra Mega Active Vitapak and Mega Men Sport. Easy and convenient way to take your supplements. GNC has done the science. All you do is open the pak — and get a complete healthy lifestyle program and peace of mind.
Visit GNC.CA for the location nearest you © 2011 General Nutrition Centres
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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« breathe in
5
Most Controversial Topics in Yoga By Erica Rodefer Winters
One of the biggest misconceptions about the yoga community is that we’re all lovey-dovey peaceful hippies who hold hands and sing “Kumbaya.” It’s good that people think we’re an agreeable bunch that goes with the flow and accepts everyone no matter their flaws. And it’s true ... to an extent. But there are a few hot-button topics that can quickly disrupt the peace in the yoga community. And while we might not exactly go for each other’s jugulars, we debate these topics with such passion and conviction it might even sound (to the untrained ear, of course) a lot like petty arguing. Here are the five most hotly-debated issues I could think of, and why I think we should all just get along.
Some schools of yoga say you absolutely can NOT eat meat and call yourself a yoga student. That’s because one of the niyamas of yoga is ahimsa, or non-harming. And, well, you can’t eat meat without harming another living being. Of course, you can’t eat anything without harming something. Consider the harm you’re doing to the environment when you drive to your local grocery store or farmer’s market to buy vegetables. I’m not saying it’s a good practice to eat animal products, I’m just saying that all of us are responsible for harming in one way or another, why condemn others for choosing to find other ways to harm less?
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2. Religion
In ancient times, yoga and Hinduism went hand-in-hand. Even today, yoga philosophy sounds a lot like Buddhism to me. And yet, I still maintain that yoga is NOT a religion, unless you want it to be. Sometimes yoga feels a lot like church to me, and other times it doesn’t. As far as I’m concerned you can call it whatever you want. Yoga is about connection and mindfulness. If chanting to Krishna helps you find that connection, great. If banning all Sanskrit and philosophy helps someone else find that same connection, great.
Illustration: Michael Ferrin
1. The Great Vegetarian Debate
breathe in »
3. The Yoga of Money
Should one person be able to trademark (and make $$$ from) a set of yoga poses, even though those poses were passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years? Is it OK to charge others $18 a pop to lead them through those poses? How about $98 for a pair of oh-so-flattering yoga pants (I love yoga fashion!)? Yoga and money might not always fit together as gracefully as Up Dog and Down Dog, but how can you fault someone for doing what they have to do (charge money) for making the practice of yoga available to others? Capitalism is the name of the game today, and if it weren’t for the exchange of money for yoga I’m pretty sure I would never have set foot in a yoga studio. Does it cheapen an ancient practice? Or is it a necessary means to an end? We could debate this one for months and never come to any worthwhile conclusion, so maybe we should just forget it and practice yoga... a highly INDIVIDUAL practice! To each his or her own, I say.
4. All-Girls Club. (No Boys Allowed!)
I’m not going to lie. I love seeing the magazine covers with strong, beautiful, bendy women practicing awe-inspiring poses in front of a girly pastel pink backdrop. I pick it up off the shelf and think, “Finally! A magazine for ME!” It just wouldn’t have the same effect for me with a male model. But I also realize that the same pictures that I find so inspiring turn thousands of men away from the practice of yoga-which is a shame because they need it SO badly. But you know what? My yoga history studies have taught me that years ago, before yoga came to America, women weren’t even allowed to practice. It was for men only. In a few years when yoga becomes more commonplace for men, maybe we’ll be even. As long as you’re warm and welcoming to everyone who plops down on a mat next to yours, you’ve done your part.
5. Gym Yoga
Yoga purists sometimes poo-poo gym yoga classes because the main objective is usually to get a workout, not to eventually reach enlightenment. And, of course, there are gym yoga fanatics who prefer fitness yoga because they don’t like the spiritual aspect of the practice or they just don’t want to pay yoga studio prices. But how can you make such sweeping generalizations? There’s no way you can put all yoga classes that take place in gyms in the same category! Besides, even the most fitness-oriented gym yoga class is often a gateway to a more “spiritual” yoga practice. Practice wherever you feel at home! And don’t judge other people for doing something different... It’s not very “yogic.”
Erica Rodefer Winters is a writer and yoga teacher living in Charleston, SC. As the former online editor for Yoga Journal magazine, she lived and breathed yoga at work and at home. Now, she’s trying to navigate yoga in the real world. Her loves include yoga, writing, crafting, her cat Gracey, and her dog Penny. spoiledyogi.com
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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7 easy habits that will enhance your life By Dr. Elaine Dembe
Stress, physical and emotional, can make us sick. Often, the emotional distress we suffer is self-inflicted – a product of the negative, sometimes irrational ways we experience the world and our life’s journey. Here are seven simple ways to embrace happiness.
1
Dare to not compare. Comparing is the root cause of suffering. Every time you say “I used to...” as in “I used to be thinner, younger, fitter...” you are comparing. Instead look at the current reality and who you are today and either accept or change the situation. Likewise, don’t waste time comparing your life to others’. There’s nothing to be gained from it.
Photo: Richard Goerg/istockphoto.com
2
Every choice in life, whether it is about food, lifestyle or our friendships, is either life enhancing or life diminishing. Look at the situation or person and ask: “Is this diminishing or enhancing?” We’ve all got some dead wood to prune.
3
Never deny yourself the pleasure of doing something just because you have no one to do it with. Too often we give up enjoyable activities because we don’t want to be alone. Do it anyway.
Join us on Facebook and Twitter for daily tips from our experts!
4
The biggest mistake people make is letting their age determine their choices instead of looking at what they want to do and doing it regardless of age. Forget: “I’m too old to do that” or “How can I do that at my age?” You can start a new career, learn to play a musical instrument or write a book at any age. The only thing stopping you is you.
5
How often are you disappointed? Are you too attached to life unfolding in a particular way? Try saying this: “I want such and such…or something better.” This way you are manifesting what you do want, letting it go and then being open to a surprise or something different that is even better than your original desire.
6
Plan a “daily uplift.” Do one small thing that inspires you or touches your spirit. For example, a walk
in nature, noticing buds on trees, tulip shoots emerging from the ground, the smell of the earth.
7
If you leave a decision for a while—instead of making it under pressure—often the situation sorts itself out without intervention. And how you feel about something on day one can be quite different from how you feel on day 10. Sit back, breathe and observe the situation rather than making a quick judgement based on what might be incorrect information. We often hastily send that e-mail, engage in that conversation or make a phone call without sufficient patience or reflection.
Known as The L.I.F.E. Doctor™, Dr. Dembe is a chiropractor, speaker, life coach, author, marathoner and adventure hiker. She celebrated her 60th birthday at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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« vibrant health
Bending the Truth
Healthy Ageing and Yoga
Everything changes. Everything and everyone ages. Healthy ageing, in my experience, means ageing with grace and wisdom. Yoga philosophy encourages us to face the reality of our own death, and it asks us to let go of whatever we have accumulated along the way that no longer serves our highest selves. A dear friend of mine, Danny Paradise tells students during his extremely intense yoga classes that, “Doing yoga while you’re young will bring out the symptoms of old age, so that when you’re old you’ll feel young again.” What he’s referring to is the structural realignment of the body that takes place with a regular yoga practice. The postures are designed to bring the body back into optimal alignment, and when we are out of alignment, the changes initiated can sometimes be uncomfortable, even painful. Bodies tend to get stuck in the postures that they assume most of the time. As people age they tend to become less active, spend more time sitting, usually with a slumped lumbar spine and a rounded upper back. This explains why many seniors have a hard time standing up straight, getting up and down off the floor, even walking. This unhealthy, habitual posture inverts the natural curves of the lumbar spine, shortens the hamstrings and tightens the hip flexors. Once a regular yoga practice has been established tissues, ligaments, muscles and joint surfaces begin to re-align, and the student will almost certainly experience new sensations—tingling, pain, heat—as blood and oxygen flow, muscles stretch and the body changes, for the better. New students, especially older folks, need to understand that these new feelings or symptoms are an essential
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part of the healing process. As we age, the vascular system that nourishes the spine begins to shut down, causing a reduced flow of blood and oxygen to the cushioning disks between the vertebrae. With time, these shockabsorbers go from being jelly-like to calcified, and the spine becomes stiff, inflexible and often painful. Yoga postures primarily exercise the spine in its full range of movements: flexion (forward bends), extension (backbends), lateral bending, twisting, and core stability. These movements increase circulation to all the tissues and muscles around the spine, delaying the calcification of the disks. Older students who have never done yoga before need to start slowly with a knowledgeable teacher who is able to offer modifications for each student in the class. If normal range of motion has already been compromised or lost, which can happen at any age, the postures, timing and level of intensity will need to be adjusted accordingly. Most yoga classes offered are geared towards the young, fit, student. These classes are not suitable for older beginners. The pace is too quick and the teacher is unable to address the needs of the individual. Classes labelled restorative, yin, or gentle hatha would be a safe starting place for older beginners. Another option for the shy beginner is to gather a few friends together who share similar levels of ability and invite a yoga teacher into the home. In this comfortable, relaxed setting, the teacher learns about you and your body’s needs. One of the beauties of yoga, is that the cumulative good effects of
Photos: Liana Louzon Model: Diane Bruni Hair & Makeup: Valeria Nova
By Diane Bruni
vibrant health »
How Sweet it Isn’t! Aspartame’s sour side effects By Dr. A. Shulman
Photo (spoon): tuullaa/istockphoto.com
a sustained practice—reduced stress and anxiety and increased feelings of well being—encourage the practitioner to go deeper. In yoga, going deeper does not necessarily mean going into deeper postures – the practice of yoga is not just about the body, but also about the breath and meditation. As we age, going deeper may mean going further into the process of self-discovery and self-realisation. With patience and perseverance normal range of motion will be restored. The benefits of yoga are immediate, and the long-term effects can be life changing – at any age. And it’s from this perspective that we accept that everything is exactly as it’s meant to be; perfect in its imperfections.
Diane is one of Toronto’s most celebrated yoga teachers and has been studying various forms of yoga for more than thirty years. Through her pursuits in yoga, she strives to understand and support the needs of the individual, approaching each class as a gateway to a magical healing journey. She has filmed 65 episodes of Breathing Space Yoga which has aired around the world and can be viewed regularly on channel ONE. Diane is co-owner of Downward Dog Yoga Centres in Toronto. downwarddog.com If you are interested in finding a private yoga instructor please contact
admin@downwarddog.com. We’ll be happy
to help you begin your journey to total health and well being. Downward Dog Yoga Centre has been training teachers since 1997
Here’s what we know about sugar: it contains little or no nutritional value, is linked to conditions such as obesity, diabetes and can suppress the immune system, leaving us more susceptible to chronic viral infections like colds, bladder infections and cold sores. So, what’s a sweet tooth to do? No-calorie sweeteners and sugar substitutes may not pose the risk of obesity, but these great pretenders carry risks of their own. Probably the most common of the bunch is Aspartame, and here’s what we know about it: a chemically-derived sweetener, it produces formaldehyde when digested. Formaldehyde is known to be toxic to the brain and nervous system. Neurological diseases and related symptoms can occur from the over-consumption of aspartame, including headaches, muscle spasms, dizziness, twitching, memory loss, migraines and even seizures. Drinking just one can of diet pop produces between 100-300 times the safe limit of formaldehyde. Even at low doses, formaldehyde can potentially cause permanent and irreversible damage – to adults, children and foetuses. Ditch the artificial sweeteners and go for sweeteners derived from natural sources. These healthier alternatives are lower in calories than sugar, better recognized by the human body, and since they aren’t chemically derived, they don’t come with the same health consequences as their artificial counterparts. My personal favourite is Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in many fibrous fruits, vegetables and woods such as birch. Compared to sugar, Xylitol has the same sweetness with very few calories, and this makes it a great alternative for diabetics and weight watchers. The other great thing I love about Xylitol is its dental benefit. Unlike sugar, it doesn’t ferment in the mouth and therefore won’t cause cavities. In fact it seems to do the opposite. Chewing a Xylitolbased gum actually prevents the growth of several strains of bacteria in the mouth and over time can significantly decrease the incidence of dental cavities. Sweet! SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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« vibrant health
Join us on Facebook and Twitter for daily tips from our experts!
Baggage Handler How to Stay Healthy
While Travelling By Joy McCarthy
Many people simply accept that a consequence of taking a much needed vacation is the extra 5-10lbs you pack on in the process; due to over consumption, lack of exercise or both. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, there are strategies to keep your diet on track.
Alcoholic drinks in moderation: The average weight gain over a holiday is 5lbs, and this is mostly due to alcohol consumption, which is essentially sugar. Drink moderately. Granted, your vacation is not the time to do a detox, but instead of cocktails at 1pm, wait until dinner and choose wisely. A glass of red wine is going to be much kinder to your waistline then three sugary cocktails. Plus you won’t chug a glass of red wine the way you might chug a frosty beer or pina colada. Fill up on vegetables: Again, just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you should eat cheese filled ravioli with cream sauce for dinner every night. Choose wisely and keep your vegetable consumption high. Vegetables are a wonderful source of fibre, will fill your belly up and keep you feeling fuller longer. Fill at least half of your plate with whole, real, live foods like vegetables and aim for something leafy and green every day. Drink water: While vacationing, it can be easy to forget to drink water, especially because you are not sitting at a desk everyday with your water bottle handy. Thirst is often confused for hunger and you don’t want to fall into the trap of eating when you’re actually thirsty.
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Staying well hydrated prevents you from overeating and keeps waste moving through more efficiently. There’s nothing worse than being constipated and bloated for days while strutting around in a bikini, is there? But take note: if you are travelling to a country where the cleanliness of the water is questionable, be sure to request filtered water and confirm the tap water is safe for brushing your teeth. Eat protein at breakfast: Protein sets the day off right. It balances your blood sugar, increases metabolic rate, keeps your belly full longer and increases your energy. Good sources of protein include: nuts, seeds, eggs and yogurt. Or bring a bag of your favourite protein powder and mix it with water for an energising breakfast. Sleep 7.5-9 hours per night and stay active throughout the day: Getting a good night’s rest while on vacation will ensure you are energised for a day’s worth of exciting activities. If you get less than 6 hours of sleep, studies prove, since your sleep-deprived body craves quick energy, you will be more inclined to reach for those refined carbs and indulge in sugary foods. A well-rested body will be ready for a hike, swim or walk and staying active will ensure you don’t come back from vacation with more baggage than you left with!
Joy McCarthy is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, corporate wellness speaker and expert nutrition contributor for various media outlets including: radio, online, TV and print. Co-creator of Eat Well Feel Well a 6 week nutrition yoga workshop in Toronto. joyoushealth.ca
Photo: Joshua Hodge Photography/istockphoto.com
Avoid Sweets: Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean that anything goes. If you don’t typically eat dessert after lunch and dinner then why start now? Excess sugar in the body is not going to give you extra energy. If not utilised for energy, it converts to fat and the most common place it lands is your belly, hips and thighs. Plan to indulge in dessert once or twice, but not after every meal. Oh, and make sure it counts. Don’t go for a cheap dessert - eat something that you really want.
vibrant health »
Instant Happiness How to get happy in 15 minutes or less By William Michael Forbes If you’re feeling blue or physically challenged, there are a number of simple, effective and easy ways to lift yourself out of the doldrums. The science of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) has shown us that our thoughts and emotions, as well as the thoughts and emotions of others affects—even alters—our nervous systems. This causes changes in body chemistry, muscle tension and emotional states, which eventually become outward behaviours. Here’s a simple, fifteen-minute exercise that can shift your thoughts, feelings and emotions from negative to positive. You will need a pad and pen that will fit easily into a purse or pocket. If you are currently in a negative state, take twenty seconds to notice just how you feel. If you are in a fair to positive state still take twenty seconds to notice how you feel. Notice if your breathing is free and if your body is relaxed. If not, stand comfortably and take a minute to breathe and gently stretch the tension out of your body. Now, you’re ready to start. In your notepad, write the names of the people or things you can see, hear, smell, touch or taste that make you feel good. Next, write the following: When I see blank (person, object, animal, etc.), I feel good. Here are a couple of examples: “When I see birds flying, I feel good.” or “When I see Tommy, I feel good.” During the next fifteen minutes walk around, indoors or outdoors, noticing only those things that make you feel good, then write it down. Note as much as you can in a calm and relaxed way, letting yourself experience what you are seeing, smelling, tasting, hearing and how good it makes you feel. Have a wonderful day!
For thirty years William Michael Forbes has been a trusted expert in the area of self-help. He is an inspirational speaker, writer, healer, teacher and personal development coach. His program, Navigating The Soul, has proven to be helpful in treating depression, anxiety, stress and relationship issues. navigatingthesoul.ca
swamisz.com
‘The Flip Without The Flop’ SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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« eco centric
Eco
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vapur THE ANTI-BOTTLE
Vapur is the first flexible water bottle designed to fit in your pocket, purse or backpack. BPA free, these eco-friendly alternatives to traditional bulky water bottles simply fold, roll or flatten when empty.Reusable. Foldable. Attachable. Identifiable. Freezable. Washable. Cool. $12.99 | organicgarage.ca
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PackIT
Some “Cooler Thinking” is going on. PackIT Personal Portable Cooler is the coolest new way to keep your things colder, longer - a lot longer. Pop your PackIT in the freezer and when you’re ready to head out to school, car trips, work or travel you can stock your PackIT with healthy snack options for the whole family that will stay cool and fresh all day. Make waste-free lunches and tote home leftovers safely - PackIT keeps your food cold for up to 10 hours - Non-toxic , earth safe and available in great colours and prints PackIT will make you the envy of the lunch table. *Eco based gel used for the freezing component $25 | thetategroup.com
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Swazi Secrets Pure Marula Oil
Pure, cold-pressed from wildharvested, hand-cracked nuts. It is quickly absorbed by the skin to moisturize and relax; also naturally rich in vitamin E, known for its antiaging properties which acts as a natural preservative, giving it a shelflife of at least two years without any additives. Apply to the body & face.
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s ecreto swazi s later il u r a m pure w us on Twit Follo Facebook an d il s. for deta
eco centric »
Tiny Devotions Mala Beads
Tiny Devotions is a hip, inspired, eco company that makes meditation beads while being extremely mindful of their carbon footprint. Worn for thousands of years for peace, each sacred necklace is made with 108 beads (plus a guru stone). Handcrafted in Canada with love, each gemstone has its own unique intention such as prosperity, communication and luck. Tiny Devotions supports several local and international charities including Green School in Bali, Poses for Paws, and several relief efforts. $108.00 - $154.00 | lovetinydevotions.com/shop
in w ads! a l a be
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African Turquoise Mala: Communication, Healing, Balance, Strength. Citrine Sunshine Mala: Prosperity, Joy and Abundance African Jade Mala: Luck and Strength
Dynomighty
Is it an envelope? Is it a map? It’s a wallet?! The Mighty Wallet™ by Brooklyn-based Dynomighty Design is bound to start conversations with its innovative design and instant appeal. A modern take on the classic wallet style, The Mighty Wallet is created with fully recyclable materials and crafted with intricate origami folds that give the product near-invincible strength. Tearresistant, water-resistant, expandable and most importantly, recyclable, the Mighty Wallet is environmentally friendly and virtually indestructible, helping consumers save green while being green. Made from 100% recyclable Tyvek®, the same material found in express mail envelopes, the Mighty Wallet resists tearing. $15 | ago.net
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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Greece is the Word
Yoga is a powerful practice – and when practiced in breathtaking natural surroundings it can be transformational By Deborah Peniuk
e What to pack
Casual summer clothing, light, loose, comfortable clothing for yoga, a light jacket or sweater for evening, a Yoga mat (if you prefer to use your own), hat, swimsuit, sandals and walking shoes, an adapter for electronics, a camera and most importantly, don’t forget your sunscreen.
| Other Activities
is a wonderful way of melding experiences and ananas. A yoga retreat can inspire lasting changes in your personal health and wellbeing by integrating health, fitness, nutrition, personal growth and adventure with relaxation and diverse cultural experiences. And a yoga retreat in the ancient land of Aphrodite, Venus and Zeus is not all work and no play. It’s also an opportunity to indulge in local cuisine, dance, explore: to open your heart, tap into your divine essence, to feel the energy of the land, village life and the warmth of the locals. Most yoga classes on retreats are held in the privacy of the lodging’s courtyard, but some may offer classes on the beach or in other natural surroundings. Imagine gazing out onto the bluest of seas, your body warmed by the sun, and caressed by ocean breezes. Yoga here is scented with the fragrance of wild thyme, which grows in abundance throughout the Grecian Islands. Being in the company of upbeat, like-minded people is a great way to focus on oneself, relax and engage in positive personal development. And on a Grecian yoga retreat the days and nights will be filled with culture, history, fun, the freshest of local foods and rejuvenation. Taking a yoga-centered vacation
Photo: Andrew Meade
Deborah Peniuk is the owner of AYA Life, a travel consulting company that brings dreams to life; and she is @TraveliciousDee, a creative outside-the-box travel planner & retreat builder who has empowered clients to travel since the 1990’s. Specializing in small group travel she creates retreats for all doctrines of health and wellness. Her team spirit and limitless imagination are key to anyone planning a memorable “outside the lines” experience. aya-life.com
Hiking, massage, discover the history and mythology of the region, visit neighbouring villages and ancient archeological sites, explore the different beaches, local museums, art galleries, enjoy music and dining, Island boat tours and ferry rides to neighbouring islands. Journey to any one of these islands: Crete, Kythira, Lesbos, Paros, Milos, Nysiros, stop and take part in the ritual of sipping a coffee whilst overlooking the shimmering azure sea, or go swimming in the salty, clean, clear water.
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YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
ExPLorE. CoNNECT. LIvE.
Take a cooking class. Access smaller historic sites. Learn from experts. Explore independently. Share a meal with a local family. On an Explorations tour travelers embark on personal adventures steeped in culture and bold experiences. From Africa and Australia to Italy and India – experience the world in a new way. The Plains of Africa 15 Days • 37 Meals Starting at $4054*
Thailand and Laos 14 Days • 27 Meals Starting at $2599*
Namibia and Botswana featuring Dunes, Delta and Falls 18 Days • 29 Meals Starting at $8179*
Mysteries of India 15 Days • 26 Meals Starting at $3049*
*Please call for terms, conditions, dates and pricing options.
Contact Cruisenet Tours & Travel Inc for more information on a Collette vacations Explorations Tour. 905-829-0111 ON #4146882
Energy Harmony Balance
AYA
life
Are you looking to inspire lasting changes in health and well being? We work together with you to design & create custom retreats that best fit your needs and desires.
Namaste 647-347-6693 or email info@aya-life.com www.aya-life.com SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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Discover South Africa Giveaway! You heard the rumours, now here’s the low down on our amazing bucket list trip! : By Sarah Lichtman
learn the lingo
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watching. But it’s the heart of Cape Town you’ll want to get to know. Explore this vibrant urban centre from a hop on hop off open, double-decker bus if you’d like, while the more adventurous and fitness minded might want to break a sweat and discover this compelling city on foot. This place is rich with history. Some good, some troubling: all of it riveting. While you’re here, delve into the political trials and tribulations of this former colony – even visit the prison on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 26 years . Dining in South Africa can be as comforting as home or as exotic as you dare to go. Any way you slice it, it’s a foodie’s dream come true. Traditional Afrikaner cuisine fuses Dutch culinary traditions with local ingredients— Impala as well as influences from the region’s most dominant immigrants: East Indian, Malaysian, Portuguese, and British. And in South Africa, where life is lived out doors, the tradition of the braai or barbecue is practically a way of life.
YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Safari: a Swahili word, from the Arabic long journey, safar.Meaning journey Braai: barbecue Biltong:
Afrikaner beef jerky Droëwors: dried Afrikaner sausage Boerewors:
fresh Afrikaner sausage, ready for the braai! Koeksister:
Afrikaner fritter or doughnut Boer: farmer Gesondheid!
Cheers!
Photo: courtesy of Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
We give you great fitness, yoga and nutritional advice and now we’re also giving you the chance to win a once in a lifetime, two-week trip to South Africa in partnership with Go Touch Down Travel & Tours. Spend one week in exciting, cosmopolitan Cape Town and the second week, on safari. Just before we present some of the tantalising details, we thought it worth mentioning that Cape Town has come out tops on TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice 2011 Destinations Awards, being voted the world’s best tourism destination ahead of Barcelona, London, New York, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Sydney. Wow! Pack your bags! In Cape Town you will be taken on a guided tour of this city’s most popular and scenic destinations: Cape Point, Camps Bay, Hout Bay, the Winelands, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and that’s just the beginning. Take a thrilling cable-car ride to the summit of Table Mountain and also visit the beautiful coastal town of Hermanus for a little whale
love life »
Bientang’s Cave, on the shores of Walker’s Bay is the perfect place for lunch and a spot of whale watching too! Rustic and dramatic, this award-winning restaurant is carved out of a century old cave. And for the ultimate in Continental elegance, Grand Provence, tucked away in the renowned wine region of Franschhoek Valley, Western Cape, awaits. Indulge in culinary masterpieces surrounded by 47-acres of lush vineyards. South Africa is building an international reputation as one of the New World’s top wine regions, so any trip here simply demands a visit to the vineyards and wineries – here, known as ‘wine farms’ – with long histories, built in bucolic surroundings. Of course, sample some fabulous bottles. Beyond the bright lights of the big city, visit townships, wine farms and on the second leg of the tour, go on safari! But it can’t all be glamour, fine dining and wine – prepare to get a little dusty on an unforgettable eight-day safari of guided tours to the Blyde River Canyon, Gods Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Experience the natural wonder and breathtaking wildlife of the Lowveld region and Greater Kruger National Park. These safe and exciting game drives offer tourists the chance to see Africa’s Big Five—elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo. For the true adventurer, ditch the wheels and view the world from high atop the back of an elephant or on your own two feet with an exhilarating guided bush walk. The draw for our Discover South Africa Giveaway will take place on September 1, 2011. If you have yet to enter please go to sweatequitymagazine.com and fill in a ballot. This spectacular, all-inclusive* trip for two is valued at $18,000. The winner will be announced on our website, Facebook, Twitter and, as the winner we will also write about your journey in an upcoming issue! Best of luck to you all! *All-inclusive refers to: all transfers, flights, accommodations and food. Does not include airport taxes. **contest trip provided courtesy of touchcorporation.com SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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ÂŤ love life
Lions & Tigers & Tie-Dye, Oh My! Make a splash with animal prints and a wild pallet. By Jen Tse
One of the biggest trends this season is mixing and matching animal prints. Try leopard with zebra. A headscarf is perfect for drives with the top down or strolls on the beach.
Bathing suit, $275 Pareo, $185
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YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Travel is in the air, and bright, vibrant colours, cut out bathing suits and animal prints are in! On a brief, relaxing getaway or a languid yoga retreat: jet setting to exotic South Africa or the white sands of Barbados, turn heads with bright technocolour prints or graphic black and white zebra stripes. Fashion takes cues from past eras and world cultures and this season, the seventies are coming back full force. Think ponchos, natural elements, such as bone and wood, ethnic prints and safari dresses. Strong, iconic femmes, Bianca Jagger and Lauren Hutton, carried-off these bold looks with grace and elegance, and so can you!
Photos: Kristof (foto-studio.com) Models: Cait M- Elite models, Isaac Levy - Push Creative Management Swimsuit & Pareo: MARYAN MEHLHORN, goodnightgoodmorning.ca Hair/Makeup: Natalia Zurawska, PUSH Management Location: touchdelafrique.com Eyewear (opposite page): Boucheron, deltaoptical.ca Clothing (this page): tommybahama.com Eyewear (this page): Leisure Society, deltaoptical.ca
love life » Of course we didn’t forget the men: classic sunglasses paired with a linen shirt will never go out of style.
Easy Breezer Shirt, $118 Easy Breezer Pant, $138
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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Colour blocking is big. Try neon accessories—bangles and belts—for an understated interpretation. Pairing different neon brights and complimentary colours create a striking impression. Ground a neon outfit with neutral beige shoes. Cytheria, $265 (this page)
Aura, $345
(opposite page)
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Aqua Di Lara, is a Montreal line by Designer, Reyhan Sofraci. The unique pieces are accessorized simply with jewellery in gold and natural materials, by the Beadery. Sofraci’s sleek, beautiful designs shape and accentuate the natural curves of a woman’s body. Sexy, bold and full of flare, there’s a nod to resort beachwear but given in popping rainbow colours and tie-dye. These are statement bathing suits.
Photo: Liana Louzon Make up: Angela Veel Hair: Irina Lavrega Models: Senait from Elmer Olsen Models, Danielle Knudson- Sutherland Models Dalia Bibr Swimwear/dress: Aqua Di Lara aquadilara.com Jewelry: thebeadery.ca
« love life
love life »
Throw on a seventies tiedye inspired poncho for a relaxing afternoon on a sun-drenched patio or over workout gear. SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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ÂŤ love life
Odessa, $285 (top left)
Hindella, $385
(top right)
Jessa,$365 (bottom left)
Diamante,$285 (bottom right)
Bring a little spring into your step and office wardrobe with this vibrant purple dress in a sophisticated floral print. 40
YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
love life »
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Some Like it Cool Summer Skincare the Ayurvedic Way By Kristen Ma, co-owner of Pure + Simple Inc Ayurveda is an Eastern medicinal science,
Slather on Coconut Oil
based on the pursuit of energetic balance and connection to our surroundings. According to Ayurveda, our climate influences our bodies, and to maintain health, we must change our diets and lifestyles in accordance with it. Summer’s heat is said to increase fire energy (or pitta), making it vital to one’s wellness, to eat cooling, raw foods and avoid intense, inflaming exercise. And because beauty is a reflection of health, how we treat our skin must also change with the seasons. Summertime’s high temperatures and increased UV exposure is said to contribute to many inflammatory skin ailments such as eczema, heat rash, acne and rosacea, so Ayurveda prescribes changing our skincare to soothe, cool and rebalance. Here are a few summer tips to help keep complexions clear and calm.
While most oils are heating, coconut oil is one of the few that is cooling. Ayurveda recommends cooking with this light oil in warmer climates or when experiencing digestion inflammation. Its cooling property also applies to skin, making it an excellent moisturizer for the summer. Because we tend to perspire more frequently during this season, our skin has a tendency to dehydrate. Coconut oil creates a non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) barrier that helps our skin retain hydration while doubling as an anti-inflammatory. Use this oil either as an ingredient in your day cream, or in pure oil form as a replenishing nighttime treatment.
Keep it Cool – Use Soothing Skincare
During the summer, irritation from the elements takes a toll on our skin. Heat dilates the blood vessels in our skin, leading to broken capillaries and redness. This inflammation can also lead to premature aging, pigmented spots and it’s why soothing skincare is essential. Avoid harsh astringents such as alcohol and sodium laurel sulfate. Instead, opt for cleansers, toners and moisturizers with anti-inflammatory properties. Water Therapy
According to Ayurveda, most oils have heating qualities. In summer, use waterrich beauty products, as water is cooling and pitta pacifying. Well-hydrated skin fares much better against inflammation. Incorporating water-rich natural ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, calendula and rose water helps soothe inflammation as well as repair skin damage.
Sometimes a build up of these cells actually impairs our moisture absorption, so sloughing them away is important for skin health as well as brightness. Ayurveda has long since used udvartana, a scrubbing treatment, to exfoliate. Udvartana is a vigorous dry massage using a blend of chickpea flour and other plant powders to exfoliate, helping to increase skin firmness and tone by increasing blood flow and facilitating detoxification. You can do this easily yourself at home by massaging dry chickpea flour on to the face and body. The flour can be applied directly to dry skin or overtop an application of coconut oil. Your skin will be left silky smooth and beautifully renewed.
Stay Protected
Ayurveda uses the sun’s energy as a healing resource. UV ray exposure is said to increase the immune system, kill germs and provide us with nutrients – vitamin D, for example. But according to this philosophy, balance is key, and beautywise, too much sun-exposure can cause burning, wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation. Furthermore, hyper-pigmentation is said to appear when our skin cannot “digest” the sun’s energy. In other words – use moderation! If you use a sun block, choose one made from natural ingredients, as it’s very important to avoid absorbing carcinogens and endocrine disrupters. While Ayurveda suggests neem oil as a natural sun block, mineral-based sun blocks are more readily available and regulated. Minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be found in many commercial sunscreens and cosmetics, offering protection as well as helping to even out skin tone. Exfoliate Ayurvedically
Kristen Ma is an Ayurvedic
practitioner and co-owner of Pure + Simple Inc., an independent chain of holistic spas in Toronto. She’s the author of Beauty: Pure + Simple and writes the popular blog, holisticvanity.ca. There, she shares her thoughts and knowledge on Ayurveda and it’s beauty benefits. pureandsimple.ca
The Best Summer Skincare Ingredients
Look for these calming and restoring ingredients when selecting your summer beauty products. Aloe Vera, Lavender, Turmeric, Chamomile, Melissa, Calendula, Coconut oil Jojoba, Rose, Cucumber Extract
In the summer months, dead skin cells are a result of dehydration from perspiration. SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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Vegan Vanity
A guide to compassionate beauty products
What’s in there?
LUSH Dream Cream , $24.95
By Erin Moraghan Bugs in your lipstick? Fish in your nail polish? Crazy, but true. Consumers have become more demanding about what they put into their bodies – and now they want to know what they’re putting on their bodies? What is vegan?
Vegetarians don’t eat animal flesh but may eat foods derived from animals like eggs, milk and cheese. Vegans make a commitment to forego all animal-derived foods and products. At first glance that might seem easy: lay off the yogurt smoothies and don’t wear leather boots, but it’s not that simple. Consumers are starting to learn that not only do many of our common-place household and personal products contain loads of animal-based ingredients, but those ingredients are masked with names we don’t understand. So what is in my makeup bag?
The list of animal and insect-based additives in our bathroom cabinet is a long one. Here’s a good one: carminic acid. Would the average consumer (one without a degree in biochemistry) know what that is? Or how about cochineal? Both are code for a species of beetles that produce a natural red dye, and the ingredient is commonly found in products with red pigment, such as lipstick, blush, and Smarties. Then there’s guanine or pearl essence, which - unless it’s artificially created – means it’s fish scales that give your nail polish, eye shadow, lotion or lipstick it’s shimmer. Shampoos and lotions often contain a host of animal-based substances taken from bones, cartilage, placenta and animal oils which may read as ingredients such as keratin, lanolin and collagen on the bottle. 42
Why care?
So maybe you’re not vegan, and you don’t care about the plight of the cochineal beetle or mind the odd cow placenta in your hair. To each their own. But then why choose vegan over non-vegan products? For starters, giving up animal-based products is something that has been described as the single most significant thing we can do to preserve our planet. That’s a pretty darn good reason. Also, many animal-based ingredients - often chemically manipulated - pose a higher risk of causing irritation or allergic reaction, and some allergists say switching to plant-derived options may help.
Here’s a handy glossary of the dirty dozen. Now, we understand that reading every single ingredient on every single item you buy will turn a one-hour shopping trip into an all day sucker. So, start with one or two, and look for the words that jump out at you. Cochineal, Carminic acid, Lactic acid Beeswax Natural bristle (boar bristle) Gelatin Hyaluronic acid Keratin Tallow Stearic acid Castor (an oil from beavers) Musk (from male deer) Ambergris (from the sperm whale)
truthaboutbeautyproducts.com
Vegan-ize your bathroom!
Urban Decay, Lush, and Ecco Bella are just three brands worth making the switch to. Stores such as Whole Foods carry scores of vegan product lines: Zuzu, Butter, Dr. Hauschka as well as organic, gluten-free lotions and shampoos from Green Beaver. Various local spas even offer vegan nail polishes and skin care lines from companies like SpaRitual. Make your own!
There may be countless vegan products in your kitchen that can double as effective and yummy-smelling skin care solutions. Organic coconut oil is a beauty musthave. The light oil works miracles as a mask for a dry scalp, is nourishing night cream for the face and soothes dry, cracked hands and feet. A ripe avocado mashed up with coffee grounds and brown sugar makes a wonderful body scrub. And for a gentle, refreshing, oily-skin toner, toss half a cucumber, one-tablespoon each of lemon juice and fresh mint and blend until liquid.
yoga | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Erin Moraghan has a passion for finding the delicate balance within the business of yoga. She works as a business development consultant within the yoga and wellness industries, and is a devoted advocate for wellness in the workplace and in schools. Erin has shared her expertise across Canada at major healthcare conferences and on television and radio, encouraging Canadians of all ages to get moving! Erin is also a Moksha Yoga teacher and animal lover.
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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Gentlemen, start your engines with yoga for libido
By Michael DeCorte
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YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Hair/Makeup: Greg B. represented by Kris Lyons for PUSH Management Location: Harley-Davidson of Toronto (416)445-4647
Night Moves
Photo: Liana Louzon Models: Michael DeCorte, Julian Scott
ÂŤ NUTRITION | FUEL
do yoga »
Hey Guys, yoga is not just for girls! This ancient, and in its early days, male-dominated practice is excellent for enhancing male virility and channeling sexual energy. It’s been said that the ancient holy men and yogis of India were sexually active throughout their lives – and they lived a long time. Yoga played a big part in keeping them sexually fit. This sequence illustrates some very potent poses for men, designed to boost your libido. If you’re concerned about sexual dysfunction or you just want to keep yourself primed for action, you may want to incorporate these asanas into your regular exercise program. Yoga is traditionally practiced for maintaining body strength, flexibility and balance so don’t be surprised if in addition to finding yourself sexually stoked, you also feel rejuvenated; even spiritually transformed.
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Prepare For Your Yoga Practice Dress comfortably: nothing tight around your waist or crotch area. Don’t wear a loose shirt that will get in your face when you bend over. Don’t wear socks, as you may slip when holding the positions. Don’t eat a lot for at least two hours before yoga. If you don’t have a yoga mat, you can do the exercises on a floor or carpet or outside on any comfortable terrain. Allow sufficient space to complete the exercises. If you can lie on your back and make a snow angel you’ve got enough space. If you like, turn on some non-intrusive, relaxing music.
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BUTTERFLY POSE (Baddha Konasana)
Sit on the floor with your back straight. Bend both the knees, bringing the soles of the feet together and place them as close to the crotch area as possible. Don’t worry if your knees do not touch the floor. Hold the pose focusing on your inner thighs. Try to bring your knees closer to the floor to the point where you feel a gentle stretch. Breathe into the stretch. Relax. It’s advantageous to close your eyes. Sit in this position for at least 1-3 minutes and continue breathing. This position is an excellent groin and hip -opener and also tones the sexual energy channels and organs.
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Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
Bend forward with your back straight, legs outstretched together in front of you. Lean forward and reach your arms toward your toes. Don’t lock your knees. Let your upper body relax and feel the stretch in the back of your legs and in your back. Do not over stretch. Take several long, deep breaths. If you are limber, you can grab your shins, ankles or toes. Hold this pose for up to 1 minute and return to an upright position. Repeat the move 3 times. This exercise is excellent for increasing sexual mobility and stimulating sexual energy.
It’s OK to modify any position to fit your level of fitness. If any exercise is too strenuous, stop. You can always pick it up when you’re ready. You should feel like you are stretching and strengthening your muscles. Never go to pain! Take breaks between the exercises for at least 30 seconds. Stay calm, focused and relaxed during breaks. *Please note, the exercises described here are for information purposes only and are not meant to replace professional medical treatment. Before beginning any exercise program , always consult your health care professional
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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Plough Pose
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(Halasana)
This is a very powerful position, excellent for improving your entire sexual system. I recommend you do this pose slowly, making sure you do not strain your back, neck or hamstrings. Begin on your back by drawing your knees to your chest. Roll backwards and allow your legs to extend over and past your head. Support your back with your hands. Ideally your toes should touch the ground above your head, but only go to where you feel the stretch. Do not go to pain. Take long, deep breaths and hold the position from 1 to 3 minutes. If you get lightheaded, gently come out of the pose.
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Crane Pose (Bakasana)
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This is an advanced posture so take it slow. Place the knees on the back of the upper arms and slowly start to come forward, lifting the head as you go. Take feet off the floor, one at a time, so you come to balance with both feet up. This asana can be claimed as one of the most important asanas for arm balance. It helps your upper back by stretching it and making it more flexible for better support. With continuous practice you can achieve that balance. It also helps to open the groins and tone the abdominal muscles. Beginners: Try lifting one foot up at a time to get a feel for how far forward you need to bring yourself. Do not let your head drop. This will cause you to tip forward and lose balance. Put a blanket in front of you so you won’t be afraid of hitting your head if you fall. Everyone falls when learning this pose. Advanced: Once you come up into the pose, do not let your elbows splay out to either side. Work on straightening your arms.
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Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Kneel on the floor. Touch your big toes together and sit on your heels, then separate your knees about as wide as your hips. Exhale and lay your torso down between your thighs. Lay your hands in front on the floor or alongside your torso, palms up, and release the fronts of your shoulders toward the floor. Broaden your sacrum across the back of your pelvis and narrow your hip points toward the navel, so that they nestle down onto the inner thighs. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of the pelvis while you lift the base of your skull away from the back of your neck. Child’s pose is a relaxation pose which is used to normalize the circulation and to give a counter stretch to the spine after the backward bends. It is a resting pose that can be done to precede or follow any pose. Performing child’s pose stretches the hips, thighs and ankles, helps relieve stress and fatigue, and calms the brain. Stay anywhere from 30 seconds to a 3 minutes. Breathe and relax. 46
YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
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Runner’s Stretch/lunge
From a standing position, step your right leg forward a few feet, and bend your right knee keeping your left leg straight. Your knee should be at a right angle to the floor. Never allow your knee to extend past your ankle. Your arms can rest on your hips or if you need support, place them on either side of your right foot. Feel the stretch in your inner left leg and the strengthening in your right leg. Take 10 slow deep breaths as you hold the position. Return to the standing position and do the same on the other side, bringing your left foot forward into the lunge. This position strengthens your pelvic floor and helps you maintain stamina and flexibility.
do yoga »
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Warrior pose
(Virabhadrasana II)
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Named for a fierce warrior, this version of warrior pose increases stamina. Like a swordsman making his lunge: in this deceptively simple pose you open the groin and chest while strengthening the legs and arms. On an exhale, spread your feet 3½ to 4 feet apart. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach them actively out to the sides, shoulder blades wide, palms down. Turn your right foot in slightly to the right and your left foot out to the right 90 degrees. Align the left heel with the right heel. Firm your thighs and turn your left thigh outward so that the center of the left knee cap is in line with the center of the left ankle. Exhale and bend your left knee over the left ankle, so that the shin is perpendicular to the floor. If possible, bring the left thigh parallel to the floor. Anchor this movement of the left knee by strengthening the right leg and pressing the outer right heel firmly to the floor. Stretch the arms away from the space between the shoulder blades, parallel to the floor. Don’t lean the torso over the left thigh, keep the sides of the torso equally long and the shoulders directly over the pelvis. Press the tailbone slightly toward the pubis. Turn the head to the left and look out over the fingers. Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Inhale to come up. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time.
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10 Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
Lie on your back and bring your feet as close to your buttocks as possible, knees bent. Lift your torso and press down on your feet. Tighten your thighs and buttocks. Try to lift your navel as high as possible. Hold the position for 1-3 minutes while taking in deep breaths. This is an intense position. When you have completed the set, slowly lower your back to the mat one vertebrae at a time until you are flat on your back with knees still bent. Repeat the exercise 3 times. This pose energizes your pelvic muscles and strengthens your legs and core, moving the sexual energy from the base of your spine, through the top of your head.
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Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
Start on all fours with your arms about shoulder width, knees almost together. Lower your body but keep your front torso elevated. Your arms should be as straight as possible elbows pointed toward your body. If you do not have neck problems, you can look up. If you feel any discomfort or pain in your lower back or abdominal muscles, modify this position by resting on your forearms for a more gentle lift. Hold the cobra pose for 30 seconds or for as long as 3 minutes. Take long deep breaths. The cobra stimulates the sexual energy center for improved performance and vitality. Relax your back, by resting for a minute or two in the extended child’s pose.
Rocking Pose
This pose is actually very relaxing. Sit on the front edge of your mat and tuck into a ball position with your knees bent and your arms wrapped around your shins. As you breathe normally, rock onto your back and roll back again to the seated position. Never roll onto your neck as this can cause injury. Continue rolling for 30 seconds working your way up to 1 minute. This pose stimulates all your energy centers and tones your core muscles.
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | YOGA
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Satya, Biomechanics & Yoga
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras offer wisdom to be applied to life and the practice of yoga By Dr. Ray Long, MD, FRCSC
“One who shows a high degree of right communication will not fail in his actions.” —T.K.V. Desikachar’s translation of Yoga Sutra II.36
The evolution or destruction of both a civilization or an individual can often be traced to satya (truthfulness) or asatya (untruthfulness). Because truth and theory go hand in hand, satya and asatya also impact the practice and teaching of yoga. Base your teaching on sound theory (satya) and the benefits will automatically manifest in your practice. However, if your theory is based on falsehoods (asatya), the benefits won’t manifest. Satya is also said to be “that which has no distortion.” In yoga instruction, this means clarity of expression. Precise cues elicit a predictable response; vague or distorted cues elicit confusion. No matter what your personal style of communication, you can always benefit from knowing the biomechanical basis of what you’re teaching. Balancing the Forearms, Wrists and Hands in Downward Facing Dog
A starting point for combining Western science with yoga lies in the term ha/tha. These Sanskrit words mean sun/moon or yin/yang and Figure 1. Forearm pronators in Downward Dog Pose.
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imply a balancing of energies or forces. Balance creates stillness. Apply this concept in your yoga practice by examining the various forces operating around a given joint in a pose, for example, the forearms, wrists and hands in Downward Facing Dog. Look at the elements that contribute energy or force throughout the body—including gravity and muscular effort—and the transmission of those forces from the muscle-tendon unit to the bones. Focus on those you can consciously affect, contracting and lengthening skeletal muscles, for example. In general, once you have the form of a pose, you want to minimize the muscular effort required to be in the asana and maximize the use of the inherent strength of the bones by aligning them. What about poses where a particular movement predominates, for example, in Urdhva Dhanurasana where the hip joints are more extended than flexed? Consider a recipe: you wouldn’t necessarily use equal portions of salt and pepper to create the final taste. In Urdhva Dhanurasana, contraction of the hip extensors predominates while the hip flexors lengthen. Balance in a pose such as this is the right amount of engagement combined with the right amount of release. All of this produces a motor and sensory imprint on the brain and establishes the mind-body connection that is yoga.
Figure 2. Close-up of pronator quadratus and flexor carpi radialis.
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Figure 3. Forearm supinators in Downward Dog Pose.
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do yoga »
Let’s look at using this principle for the forearms, wrists, and hands.
Try This in Downward Facing Dog
Gently press the mounds at the base of the index fingers into the mat and slightly flex the wrists (Figure 1). This engages the muscles that pronate the forearms, or turn the palms to face down—the pronators teres and quadratus and the flexor carpi radialis (Figure 2). Then spread the force evenly across the palms to the little finger side of the hands (Figure 3). This engages the muscles that supinate the forearms, or turn the palms to face up—the biceps and supinator (Figure 4). Gently attempting to drag the hands towards one another activates the biceps. You can refine supination by extending the thumbs up and away from the mat for a moment and then laying them back down. This engages the extensor pollicis longus. Feel how these actions balance the energies of the forearms, wrists, and hands. Try this concept in other poses such as Adho Mukha Vrksasana and Urdhva Dhanurasana. A Tip For Using the Wrist Flexors in Downward Facing Dog
Sometimes you hear an instruction to “lift the elbows” or “lift the wrists” in Dog Pose. Normally, lifting the elbow entails lifting the entire arm in front of you: forward flexion of the shoulder. This is done primarily through the action of the anterior (front) third of the deltoids. Engaging these muscles with the hands fixed on the mat lowers the elbows. To lift the wrists and elbows in downward dog, contract the wrist flexors. This stabilizes the wrists and strengthens the flexor muscles. Once you have balanced pronation and supination of the forearms (as described above), engage the wrist flexors by gently pressing the mounds at the base of the fingers into your mat. Then press the palmar surfaces of the fingers into the floor. Do not actually raise your palms off the mat during this technique. You will feel your wrists lift slightly (see Figure 5). Next, combine stabilizing the forearms, wrists, and hands with bringing the heels to the floor and stabilizing the feet. If you are practicing vinyasa flow, try activating the wrist flexors just before jumping. Feel how this action draws you forward, creating momentum for your jump through. Try this cue in a modified child’s pose to get a feel for it without weight on the hands. If you have discomfort in the wrists or hands, come out of the pose.
Ray Long, MD, FRCSC, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the founder of Bandha Yoga. He has studied yoga for over 25 years, training extensively with B.K.S. Iyengar and other of the world’s leading yoga masters. Dr. Long is the author of the bestselling series The Key Muscles of Yoga and The Key Poses of Yoga as well as the Yoga Mat Companion Anatomy series. Ray also writes a popular blog, The Daily Bandha, which details tips and techniques on how to combine modern Western science with the ancient art of yoga. He leads workshops internationally and can be reached at BandhaYoga.com. Disclaimer: Always consult your healthcare provider before practicing yoga or any other exercise program. Yoga must always be practiced under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor. The information provided here is for reference only and is not a substitute for medical advice. The author, illustrator, and publisher assume no responsibility for injuries that may result from practicing yoga or any other exercise program.
Figure 4. Close-up of biceps brachii and supinator.
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Figure 5. Gently press the mounds at the base of the fingers into the mat.
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« do yoga | asana
Sun
Salutations
Facing in the direction of the rising sun.
Seane Corn takes us through the ‘honour system’
Most ancient cultures have a reverence for the sun that has largely been lost in modern times. The ancient yogis revered the sun as the physical and spiritual heart of the world and the creative seed of life itself. One way of honouring the sun is through the dynamic vinyasa sequence called Surya Namaskar. In Sanskrit, Surya means the sun, and Namaskar comes from the Sanskrit root, Namas, which means to bow to, or to adore. As sun salutations have such an energizing effect on the body and mind, they are traditionally practiced at dawn facing in the direction of the rising sun. There are many different forms of Sun Salutations. Here we highlight the first seven movements in a modified Half Sun Salute sequence. Each movement is practiced with a corresponding inhalation and exhalation, the hallmarks of vinyasa yoga. 50
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Tadasana – Mountain Pose Tadasana is the beginning and end point of the sun salutation and sets the foundations for your entire yoga practice. Stand evenly on both feet feeling an even amount of pressure through the inner and outer feet, toes and heels. Draw energy upwards through the arches of the feet into the legs, extending (but not hyperextending) the knees, and firming the thighs. The thumbs lightly touch the sternum in prayer position (anjali mudra) an offering of respect, peace and quiet inner focus. The shoulder blades are dropped onto the support of the ribcage, and are connected with the downward release of the tailbone. Begin to notice the natural rhythm of the breath here, and with full awareness start to lengthen the inhale and the exhale drawing the breath in with a reassuring whispered texture into the back of the throat.
Photo: Dave Gillespie Model: Seane Corn Clothing: Lululemon Hair & Makeup: Natalia Zurawska Stylist: Jen Tse
By Nicky Poole
asana | do yoga »
Urdhva Hastasana – Upward Salute Pose As you inhale, take your arms wide and bring the palms overhead. If your shoulders are tight, then keep the arms parallel to each other and your palms shoulder distance apart. Feel the tailbone descending down towards the earth, and lift the top of the sternum upwards. Maintain a nice long neck with the shoulders pulled down and away from the earlobes. Your gaze is upwards.
Uttanasana – Forward Bend As you exhale take your arms wide and down to the floor. Fold from the hip creases and fully release head and neck using gravity to help you. Place your hands beside the feet. This can be a challenging posture as it fully extends the hamstrings and the spinal muscles. As you are learning the pose, you can soften the knees to release the hamstrings and more evenly distribute the stretch. You can also rest the hands on blocks placed beside the feet.
Ardha Uttanasana - Half forward fold On an inhalation lengthen the chest forward. You will feel the diaphragm descend in the torso allowing for a full breath with the lungs open. Keep the sitting bones directly over the heels and bring your visual focus forward without straining the back of the neck. If this feels challenging (again the hamstrings), bring the palms onto the shinbones and lengthen the torso from this slightly elevated position.
Uttanasana – Forward Bend On a smooth exhalation, empty all the breath from the lungs and fold forward again into Uttanasana. Attempt to press the palms flat on the floor and try to slide the floor forwards with your hands, without moving them. This will take you deeper into the experience of the posture. As before, modify the posture with gently bent knees if this posture is challenging.
Urdhva Hastasana – Upward Salute Inhale and sweep your arms wide and overhead bringing the palms together to touch. Use the force of the breath to literally ‘float’ your body upwards to a standing position. Pull the abdominal muscles inwards, lift the chest, but stay grounded and stable through the feet. Feel the breath energizing the entire body from the soles of your feet to your fingertips.
Tadasana – Mountain Pose Exhale and bring your arms around to the sides and back to the heart centre. Focus your breath and stay here for a few full breaths noticing how you feel in your body after these seven breath synchronised movements. Repeat this Half Sun Salute four more times before moving on to full sun salutations or the rest of your yoga practice.
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DELICIOUS LIVING »
It’s All About the Journey – Outside and In By Signe Langford
Photo: DGB
Summer is about peeling off the layers, showing some skin, and losing that winter insulation. And this summer, half the fun is getting there. Whether you take up meditation to explore a hidden corner of yourself, take a trip halfway around the world (see our Discover South Africa Giveaway on pg.3), or wander a part of town you’ve never been to before: seeing, tasting, feeling and experiencing new things is the main ingredient of an active, delicious, life well lived.
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« delicious living | soul kitchen
Rocco Your World In his newest book, hottie New York Chef Rocco DiSpirito cuts calories not flavour By Signe Langford Rocco DiSpirito’s world, the world of restaurants, stress, food, wine and excess can wreack havoc on a body. There’s a reason many chefs are obese, and there was a time when it was acceptable, expected even. There’s a saying in the food world, “Never trust a skinny cook!” Well, not an unhealthily skinny one, of course. But it’s just as foolhardy to trust an overweight one. The old stereotype of the portly Frenchman in whites and tall toque is going the way of foie gras, shark fin and ortolan – soon to become a relic of the culinary past – and that’s a good thing. We first met DiSpirito on The Restaurant, a reality show that gave viewers a glimpse behind the scenes at a big, New York City fine dining restaurant. The show, which ran from 2003 to 2004, didn’t have a happy ending, but in the grand scheme of DiSpirito’s life, it hardly seems to have mattered. He’s authored six cookbooks, is host of Rocco gets Real on A&E, has garnered numerous culinary awards and was
named Sexiest Chef Alive by People Magazine. In 2008, he appeared on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, where he taught contestants how to shop and eat right. But perhaps the event that would ultimately lead him to his latest book, the Now Eat This! Diet, happened in 2005, when his mother suffered a massive heart attack, and virtually died in Rocco’s arms: luckily, she was revived in hospital. With great colour photos and easy to follow instructions, Rocco gives fatty favourites—a BLT, cheeseburgers, Belgian waffles—a deliciously healthy makeover. Each recipe includes complete nutritional breakdowns and shows the before and after fat and calorie count. All very encouraging, not to mention the photos of cute-as-a-button DiSpirito working up a sweat then gorging on something luscious and low-fat. Now that’s inspiration!
Chicken & Cheese Poppers From Now Eat This! Diet By Rocco DiSpirito Ingredients
6 jalapeño peppers 1 cup (about 3.5 ounces) shredded skinless breast meat from a rotisserie or roast chicken ¼ cup reduced-fat cream cheese ¼ cup reduced-fat sour cream ¼ cup chopped scallions (white and green parts) ½ cup (about 2 ounces) shredded 75% reduced-fat cheddar Freshly ground black pepper ½ cup whole wheat flour 1½ cups whole wheat panko bread crumbs, such as Ian’s All-Natural 4 large egg whites Nonstick cooking spray Method
Preheat the broiler on high. Place a wire baking rack on a foil-lined baking sheet.
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Cut each jalapeño in half and scrape out the seeds and membrane. Place the jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet, and broil until they begin to char slightly and are partially cooked, about 2 minutes. Allow the jalapeños to cool completely. Preheat the oven to 450°F
In a small bowl, mix together the chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, scallions, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide the filling into 12 equal parts and fill each jalapeño half with the chicken mixture, packing it in tightly. Put the flour in a shallow dish. Put the panko in a small dish. In a medium bowl, whip the egg whites with a whisk until they are extremely foamy but not quite holding peaks. Working in batches, dredge the jalapeños in the flour, shaking off any excess. Add the
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jalapeños to the egg whites and toss to coat completely, being careful not to let the filling come out. Add the jalapeños, a few pieces at a time, to the panko and coat completely. Spread the jalapeños out on the wire rack and season them generously with salt and pepper. Spray the jalapeños lightly with cooking spray. Bake until the breading is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted throughout, about 20 minutes. Nutrition per Serving (2 poppers per serving) 133 calories, 5 g fat (2.5 g sat / 0.8 g mono / 0 g poly), 29 mg cholesterol, 205 mg sodium , 11 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 12 g protein
Bits and Bites By Signe Langford
Victorinox Paring Knife Trim the fat the old fashioned way – in style! This pretty pink paring knife from the makers of classic Swiss Army knife is precision-crafted in Switzerland of highcarbon stainless steel with a durable nylon handle. In two sizes – 8cm and 10cm $6.99 and $9.00 at Degrees Kitchen Store, 2588 Yonge St., 416-484-8222 degreeskitchen.com
OXO Good Grips Fat Separator In two sizes, this heat-resistant separator lets you enjoy all the delicious flavour of gravy without the fat. $15.99 and $17.99 at The Cook’s Place, 501 Danforth Ave., 416-461-5211 thecooksplace.com Trudeau Silicone Vegetable Steamer Next to raw, steaming is the healthiest way to go. This one doesn’t get hot to the touch, is easy to store and clean. $12.99 at To Set a Table, 182 Lakeshore Rd., E., Oakville, 905-338-0275 tosetatable.com
delicious living »
Prepara Tabletop Oil Mister Portion control is half the battle. This BPA-free, dishwasher-safe mister ensures restraint when frying, baking or dressing a salad. $19.95 at Kitchen Roots, 696 Danforth Ave., 647-436-7019, kitchenroots.com PC Greek Yogurt A daily dose of yogurt helps maintain a healthy body and a healthy body weight. This yummy stuff is super high in tummy-filling protein (18g in ¾ cup), and keeping protein levels stable keeps hunger at bay and blood sugar levels from roller-coastering. It packs goodfor-our-gut bacteria (probiotics) and this extra-thick and versatile yogurt boasts way more calcium than other brands. One serving (¾ cup) provides fifty percent of daily calcium needs. It has zero percent fat while being thick and luscious without the use of gums and thickeners. $3.99/500mL wherever President’s Choice products are sold. For recipes visit pc.ca
Newman’s Own Light Dressings Delicious and lower in fat and calories, these dressings—Light Balsamic, Light Olive Oil and Vinegar, Low Fat Sesame Thai—are kitchen multi-taskers. Try them for marinating, seasoning and saucing. Visit newmansown.com for recipes and nutritional information. $3.49/350mL at Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, Wal-Mart.
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« delicious living | Liquid Assets
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Southern Accent
South African wines have come a long way, Baby! By Signe Langford
Though South Africa has been making wine since the late 17th century, when Dutch colonists fermented the juice of indigenous wild grapes, it’s only in the past two decades that the nations’ wine farms have won acceptance and appreciation by oenophiles around the world. The end of apartheid saw the beginning of a new era in South African wine making and generated international interest. Partnering with Old World European and New World vintners, the modern wine farm produces wines that borrow from the best of both Old World and New World traditions, styles and techniques.
SA 101
$39.75
vilafonte.com A joint American – South African wine making venture, this Bordeauxstyle blend (44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 14% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc), is inviting with black cherry, floral, nutty and chocolate-y hints and even a touch of fruit sweetness. Aged 1½ years in French oak this wine is fruit forward with non-aggressive tannins.
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Bellingham Fair Maiden, 2008 Coastal Region
Winery of Good Hope Black Rock Red Blend. 2007 Perdeberg-Swartland
bellingham.co.za
thewineryofgoodhope.com
$17.75
$18.75
This zesty blend (30% Roussanne, 27% Chenin Blanc, 22% verdelho, 14% grenach blanc, 7% viognier) is full of bright tropical fruit, citrus and peach. Aged in both new and old French oak the racy acidity is balanced with subtle, round, vanilla undertones. Lay down for up to five years.
Drink this one with the eyes first. A vibrant purple-red prepares the palate for this highly aromatic blend (69% shiraz, 14% carignan, 11% grenache, 3% mouvèdre, 3% viognier), full of spice, licorice and berries. The intricate—and top secret—fermentation, aging and blending process delivers a complex and subtle wine with soft tannins and good structure.
YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Pinotage, a crossing
of the cinsaut and pinot noir varieties is unique to South Africa. Steen is the South African name for chenin blanc. Hanepoot is a sweet dessert wine, unique to South Africa. Beer is still the number one beverage in South Africa; ounce per ounce, it’s cheaper than soft drinks.
Photo: Laura Piebinga/istockphoto.com
Vilafonté Series M, 2006 Paarl-Simonsberg
South African wineries are known as “wine farms”.
raw ambition | Delicious Living »
Raw Life in the Fast Lane
Try this smoothie. It will keep you satiated for hours.
Eating Raw for Your Busy Life By Chef Doug McNish
I’m a vegan raw foodist and chef. This means I eat mainly unprocessed, whole, organic foods such as: fruits, vegetables, nuts and nut butters, seeds, limited amounts of grains and some sweeteners in moderation. On a typical day I might consume a quick natural energy drink, a protein and fruit smoothie full of hemp seeds, live blue green algae, kale and a host of other super foods. I’ll grab an apple or two and a handful of almonds and in the afternoon there will be kale chips, another protein smoothie, a protein bar, a big kale and avocado salad: and on it goes. I’m constantly grazing. In fact, this is the key to healthy living: eat small amounts of food, often. This does a few things: your metabolism is constantly running on a slow burn, and that allows your body to use the food you consume as fuel as opposed to storing it as fat, keeps the body full of energy, maintains blood sugar levels and keeps us energized. When we consume foods that are hard for us to digest such as processed fast foods, meat and dairy products, our bodies expend a lot of energy breaking it down, leaving us sluggish and slow. When we eat a clean, unprocessed diet we have more energy and require less sleep to regenerate our bodies each day. I consume high amounts of hemp. A complete protein, it’s packed with essential fatty acids and keeps the body feeling full. The high-protein seeds (5g/Tbsp) are handy to have around and can mean an extra 20 grams of protein added to almost any dish. Hemp oil in a salad dressing is
Maca-wha?
Maca (aka Peruvian Ginseng) is a root vegetable found in the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia. Here in North America, it is sold as a powder at most major health food stores. It is purported to balance both male and female hormones, encourage prostate health, enhance libido and give an energy boost.
a great alternative to olive oil and hemp butter is a perfect mimic, acting like heavy cream in raw desserts or sauces. Most people eat between two and three times too much food. Many North American’s stomachs have been stretched to twice the size nature intended. A few of the reasons we make poor food choices are: fast living, endless workweeks, high stress, and an expensive society. We reach for cheap, nutritionally empty food because we tend to leave ourselves no time to sit down and enjoy our food. So, we gravitate towards convenience foods that are cheap and nutritionally void. My advice: slow down. Take time to enjoy good, whole, nutritious foods.
Doug McNish is currently the Executive Chef at Grail Springs Holistic Health and Wellness Spa. He is writing a Raw Food cookbook to be released Spring 2012 under Robert Rose Publications. grailsprings.com
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoothie Ingredients
2 tbsp almond butter 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp *maca powder 1 banana 1 tsp chopped ginger 1 medjool date 6 oz almond milk Method
Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. a frozen banana makes the drink smoother and more delicious! Keep peeled, halved, bananas in the freezer at all times for sudden smoothie cravings!
Tip:
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« en-lighten up
Rich-A$$(ana) Money can’t buy love, happiness or enlightenment – but it sure doesn’t hurt. By Lina Alexander
certainly don’t live in a cave, and I am neither a struggling artist nor any other version of the stereotype. Rather, I store my mat on the sun porch of a clapboard colonial in a sleepy, upscale suburban town. I get around in a late model SUV, I have no piercings or tats, and although I do own an obnoxious rescue named Lewis, I have been known to partake in the occasional sushi dinner. I’m not alone. My yoga friends include a plastic surgeon, hedge fund manager, real estate broker, and too many affluent housewives to shake a Botox injection at! What we all have in common is the means to pay for our daily yoga practice at our respective shalas, which can run upwards of $200 per month. Sure, that’s not nearly as much as it costs to board a horse, or to take up skiing, golf or tennis but some yoga students pay for their practice by mopping the floors at the shala, or they live in one-room apartments and exist on rice and mung beans in order to support their yoga habit. When they decide to jet off to India for six months to study with their guru—something that serious students often do—they may sell off their belongings to help to defray the cost. And by cost, I don’t just mean a seat in coach on Air India – I’m talking exorbitant shala fees. All of this would appear to be at odds with one of yoga’s principle tenets: the practice of non-acquisitiveness, particularly with regard to wealth and material objects, but also with regard to non-material things such as love, life and perfection of yoga poses. The essence
You want to practice yoga. You’d like a nice
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The essence of yoga is stilling the chaos that otherwise clutters the mind, but when you’re wondering how to pay for your yoga classes and still have enough money left over for rent it’s more than a little challenging. devotion to yoga and meditation that keeps rap impresario and zillionaire Russell Simmons, Zen. By virtue of its brisk flow from one pose to the next, the progressively difficult set sequence of asanas and the style in which Ashtanga is traditionally taught, it demands daily practice. Especially if a student wishes to progress within the system to more challenging asanas and ideally, a quieter mind, which is what yoga is supposed to be about. Right? Ahem. Here I am, a self-proclaimed yoga person. I
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of yoga is stilling the chaos that otherwise clutters the mind, but when you’re wondering how to pay for your yoga classes and still have enough money left over for rent it’s more than a little challenging to not let the calm waters of the mind ripple with anxiety. Yogis are taught not to covet. But how not to covet a higher salary, a rich spouse or a trust fund when it costs so much just to get in the door of the yoga studio? While you’re figuring that one out, I’ll be bending on my mat, thanking my lucky stars that I can afford to become enlightened.
Illustration: Jason Horning
yoga butt, maybe a set of rock hard yoga abs, and if you quiet the mind in the process: great! Well, get out your wallet, this is going to cost you. Sure, the archetypal Indian yogi sits crosslegged in a cave, eating little, owning nothing. And the stereotypical yoga practitioner in the west is less a corporate raider, more a Bohemian with a well-worn mat. They bike to the yoga studio before going to work in the arts world, or, if things aren’t going so well, at a restaurant. They sport body art and piercings, share their futon with a stray they rescued and they’d sooner starve than eat dead animals. There are plenty of yogis who support that stereotype, but I know plenty more who do not. Take myself, for instance. I practice yoga every day: Ashtanga. That’s the hardcore, physically demanding, legs-behind-the-head yoga system that gave Madonna those sinewy limbs and the means to balance on her forearms in the middle of a show. And it’s his
en-lighten up »
After a well-deserved savasana, you
The
Naked Truth
Change Room Challenges of the Nervous Nudie By Jen Kirsch
It’s all about baby steps.
peel yourself off the sticky mat and head out of the yoga studio, into the war zone that is the change room. Fat bodies, thin bodies, granny panty sightings, tattoo spotting, big breasts, tiny breasts, hairy chests, well groomed folks, hair down there (au natural), tanned and toned, freckly and frail – as your fellow yogis strip off their sweaty gear, you are exposed to more than just various body types. You are exposed to various levels of self confidence. You observe the variety of bodies for a split second. You see them in all their glory for a moment, and then the moment is gone. But even as you’re looking at them, you aren’t judging them, because not only is the yoga studio a place of non-judgment, you’re too caught up in worrying that someone may see the rolls on your stomach, that you haven’t shaved in weeks, or spot your secret ‘beauty mark’ that you’d rather keep a secret. We all have different comfort levels when it comes to getting changed in a public space. Some of us can walk into the change room, as we pull our sweaty tank over our heads, exposing our bare breasts, while we ask a fellow yogi how they enjoyed class. Others walk to the showers, towel in hand, still fully clothed until the shower door is shut tight. ‘Nudies’ are confident, not because they have perfect bodies, but because they have a healthy state of mind. They aren’t worrying about how they look to others. Think about it, when people let go of worries, concerns, fears and judgments, they project a contagious aura of positive energy - big booty, chicken legs, whatever. By being less reserved, believing and behaving as if no one is judging you, you will build an inner confidence that will radiate. Being exposed to—sometimes, literally—people who are comfortable in their own skin, in turn breeds a confidence and comfort within ourselves. Challenge yourself to leave a certain body part of yours uncovered one day when you’re changing. Once you’ve conquered that fear try to expose two body parts. Before you know it, you might start changing without a care about stubble, or that itty-bitty, racy thong, your adorable muffin top. Who knows? You may end up being one of those ladies who blow dries their hair sans bra, or one of those guys who shower at the studio instead of rushing home for privacy. It’s all about baby steps. If the idea of stripping down in the change room is too risqué for you, remind yourself of that aura of confidence and positive energy surrounding the naked ones. Let go of that nagging preoccupation with your flaws and fears of judgment. You might just find that confidence is all you really need to keep you well protected.
Jen Kirsch is a relationship columnist, blogger and loyal yogini. When she’s not writing about life’s ups and downs she takes to her yoga mat, at least five times a week. Jen explores relating, dating and the latest do’s and don’ts, at the yoga studio, gym,
Join us on Facebook and Twitter for daily tips from our experts!
even in the locker room.
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Love is a force to be reckoned with.
Breathe in. Work out. The breath is everything. Love life.Do yoga.
Move it or lose it.
ÂŤ NUTRITION | FUEL
YOGA | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
Seane Corn is an international yogini and humanitarian who inspires people throughout the world. Her story resonated with me, I felt the depth of her sincerity and an immediate spiritual connection. If you listen, her message to pay it foreword is powerful.
Photo: Dave Gillespie
“Ignore the story and see the soul.” Seane Corn’s mantra FUEL | NUTRITION »
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Yoga 路 Fitness 路 Lifestyle
YOGA FOR LIBIDO
From 0-60 in 5 sec
SUMMER FLING?
Tantalize your tastebuds!
DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town is calling!
Survival of the Fittest
Who will take the crown?
RUN, FIGHT OR FLIGHT Muay Thai boxing, Spartan Racing & Parkour
Summer 2011 // VOL. 1 issue 3 // $4.95 WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM
FLIP OVER FOR yoga
Toronto FC MVP
ADRIAN
CANN
His net worth on & off the field Enter to win!
$18,000 TRIP OF A LIFETIME Flip to YOGA and see page 3 for details
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« NUTRITION | FUEL
CONTENTS » summer 2011
11 I-ON Fitness 4 Profile So You Think You Can Dance?
6 My Perfect Day of Fitness Tara Spencer-Nairn
24
Raising Awareness by Remembering the Past
18 Work out
16 Coaches Corner
Adrian Cann - Net Worth
Glide to Victory
SUMMER FLING?
Tantalize your tastebuds!
DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town is calling!
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Who will take the crown?
TORONTO FC MVP
ADRIAN
CANN
HIS NET wORTH ON & OFF THE FIELD Enter to win!
$18,000
25 Healthy Paella Recipe courtesy of Chef Romel Griarte
27 Supplemental Income
Run, Fight or Flight
From 0-60 in 5 sec
The Perfect Steak. Here are the Rules.
8 Gear
11 Work out
YOGA FOR LIBIDO
24 Meat & Flames 101
26 Fuel
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Yoga · Fitness · Lifestyle
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10 99% Perspiration
Green Smoothie for a Super-Boost.
Travel Companions
work out 18 W.O.D. Crossfit: A butt kicking like no other
TRIP OF A LIFETIME Flip to YOGA and see page 3 for details
RUN, FIGHT OR FLIGHT Muay Thai boxing, Spartan Racing & Parkour
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Yoga · Fitness · Lifestyle
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« i-on fitness | profile
So You Think You Can
Dance?
Now add a dash of yoga, a pinch of Pilates and a soupçon of strength training for a new way to work out. By Jen Tse
Timea Wharton is the go to girl for dance, fitness and yoga. With over fifteen years of experience as a respected professional dancer and instructor, she has fused her passion for yoga, Pilates, and holistic health, creating specialised programs that go beyond the gym and your typical workout. Sticking to a routine can be challenging, but her six-yearold boutique studio makes it easier by offering a membership program of unlimited classes. These one of a kind classes in intensive strength conditioning, dance technique, and balanced conditioning encourages a dedicated following. Even those who thought they could never stick to a fitness plan are now doing so with renewed bodies, minds and spirits.
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i-on fitness »
At the studio, exercises are creatively customised for the client’s needs and individual bodies. The system’s goal is to achieve the highest level of body strength, endurance and mobility while preventing the dreaded fitness plateau through dance, yoga and traditional drills, often fusing the various disciplines. The wide variety, range and frequency of classes provide a great, versatile alternative to a traditional gym. Wharton offers something for everyone: couch potatoes who have always wanted to get fit, those who are already fit but want to step it up a notch and pros who want to refine technique. The Turning Point method provides balanced, challenging total-body fitness, by developing healthy bodies from the core out.
Log onto
SWEATEQUITYWEBTV.COM to view Turning Point video profile
Timea Wharton is the founder and lead instructor of Turning Point Fitness. A graduate of York University’s Dance Program, she studied Ballet, contemporary dance, choreography, and the prevention of dance injuries. The body awareness and connectivity techniques she studied fuelled her interest in Hatha yoga and Pilates, which led to training under prominent international instructors. turningpointfitness.ca
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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« i-on fitness
Tara Spencer-Nairn MY PERFECT DAY OF FITNESS By Signe Langford
Then, after a shower I’d hit
Sushi Marché (sushimarche.com) for their Kamikaze tuna roll. I could eat sushi every day! After lunch, my husband, Josh and I, would grab our bikes and head down to the Leslie Street Spit (Tommy Thompson Park tommythompsonpark.ca). I don’t like running there because there are snakes, and I’m terrified of snakes. But I feel safe on my bike. I love to go down to the end and watch those crazy huge colonies of birds, the terns and cormorants.
For this Gemini Award winning star of CTV’s The Listener, maintaining a stringent fitness regimen isn’t a choice. “Staying fit and trying not to age is part of my job – it’s part of being an actor.” Fortunately for Spencer-Nairn it’s also an addiction, and running is the drug. “Oh, I’m psycho about it. I’m that girl who’s in the gym 5 or 6 days a week.
“A perfect day for me does not include
seeing the sunrise. I’m sure it’s beautiful, but I’m OK not seeing it. A little birdsong is fine, but if I could, I’d sleep in until 9:30 or 10. I’d have a cup of coffee and a little bite to eat – I don’t like to run on a full stomach, it’s not pretty. I’d head out for a 10K run along the boardwalk in the Beaches and along Lakeshore. The weather would be perfect: a beautiful sunny day. Not too hot, not cold, because I hate getting red legs from running in the cold. About 17C, with no wind. I hate wind. It drives me nuts! 6
FITNESS | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
In the afternoon
I’d go for a reformer class at Pilates, then head over to Ceili Cottage (ceilicottage.com) for a drink (I’m a wine girl) and a plate of oysters. We’d sit on the patio—I like the sun, Josh would be under the umbrella—then it would be time for dinner. Lucky for me, Josh loves to cook. We might bake some hot wings and sweet potato fries in the oven. To end the day, a little stroll in the evening air for a scoop of spicy chocolate gelato at Ed’s Real Scoop (edsrealscoop.com), then home and under the covers with my book (White Tiger by Aravind Adiga) by 10:30 or 11.”
Photo (Spencer-Nairn): George Pimentel
We asked Tara how she would spend a perfect day away from her demanding production schedule – her perfect day of fitness.
« gear
Get it! Got it! Good! Whether you’re hitting the beach, pounding the pavement or taking some vaca time for travel, we know it’s important to get the most out of this cherished season of sunshine! Here are some ‘gear essentials’ that will give you support, convenience, protection or just the ‘cool’ factor. Slastix Resistance Tubing
Kaenon Georgia
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$19.99
Slastix resistance tubing is perfect for all kinds of training exercises. This resistance tubing features a unique safety-sleeve that prolongs the life of the tubing and prevents injuries if the tubing is overstretched. A wide variety of exercises are at your fingertips with this convenient portable piece of equipment. Curls, lunges, lateral raises…. the options are limitless! No excuses to skip a workout as it can be tossed in your bag for easy access anywhere! 360conditioning.com
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Anita Sports Bra Anita active sports bras have outstanding functionality. The inner cups are seamless and ensure chafe-free comfort. This extreme control sports bra provides sensational support with its ergonomicallystyled relief straps which are padded throughout and adjustable. Breathable, highly functional piqué fabric and netting inserts at the back regulate moisture absorption and ensure that the skin remains dry. (Sizes 32-42 cups A-H) goodnightgoodmorning.ca
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The Travel Roller is the ultimate myofascial release tool. Unlike a traditional foam roller the Travel Roller never wears down because its core is made from 100% earthfriendly TPE foam. It contains no-PVC, no-BPA, no-rubber material and has been specifically designed to be the most “ergonomically correct” body roller. It also comes complete with an instructional DVD, workout chart and three different density acupressure balls. Passionately designed & developed in Canada. 360conditioning.com
Kaenon Spindle (S3)
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A highly sophisticated family of featherweight, retro-inspired, semi-rimless metal frames, the epitome of less is more comes through in the SPINDLE SERIES. SPINDLE S3’s semi-rimless aviator design, features refined frames packed with Kaenon’s industry-leading commitment to high-quality details. The adjustable nose pads composed of silicone Air Bags™ result in a light and comfortable anchoring point on the nose. The durable single-spring hinges and Variflex rubber temple tips offer unmatched comfort and secure fit while providing you with the needed protection of Kaenon polarized lenses. deltaoptical.ca
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SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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« 99% perspiration
Raising Awareness by Remembering the Past Mondetta Charity Foundation cares for kids affected by the African AIDS crisis By Stephanie Dickison
It seems so long ago that photos of once healthy, young bodies ravaged by AIDS filled the pages of magazines and newspapers. It’s not the news story it once was here, but in Africa, AIDS continues to spread and kill at an alarming rate, with women and children bearing the brunt of the epidemic. Winnipeg-based Mondetta Charity Foundation, is working to ease some of the suffering in Africa, through medical and poverty relief efforts. A Shared Past
When brothers Ash and Prashant Modha and Raj and Amit Bahl met at the University of Winnipeg, they discovered a common past. Both families had emigrated from East Africa, having been forced out by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 1970s. In 1986 they started Mondetta Clothing Company. Their company slogan, “A Spirit of Unification,” and the message of cultural diversity came from their own experiences. In it’s nearly twenty-five year rich history, the Mondetta brand has evolved – first introduced as an icon of global unification, it established itself as a collection of ever-evolving sports-casual wear and now, the recently 10
FITNESS | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
launched MPG or Mondetta Performance Gear. “Virtually penniless, we came to experience first-hand a multicultural upbringing in a country that by celebrating diversity, best exemplified the idea of a global village”, says Ash Modha. Building a Foundation
In 2006, The Mondetta Charity Foundation—a separate entity from the Mondetta Clothing Company—was formed when the brothers were inspired to start a foundation designed to help Africans. Funding schools and an orphanage in Uganda and Kenya, MCF provides aid, education, support and shelter to children who have lost their parents to AIDS. Creating New Possibilities
Thanks to generous donations, the MCF has adopted the New Life Home orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, which cares for 60 children who have either lost their family to AIDS or have simply been abandoned. The Kamwokya Primary School in Kampala, Uganda, offers children living with HIV/AIDS the security, education and medical attention they need and deserve.
How You Can Help
To ensure that the money you donate gets to those in Africa, The MCF mandates that all operating and administrative costs be born by the parent company thereby allowing all donations to be utilized in a strictly charitable capacity. Be part of the MCF’s “Commitment to Hope” Program by offering a donation of any amount: $19.00 feeds a child for a month. $90.00 sends a child to school for an entire year.
For more information: canadahelps.org , mondetta.com/mondetta-gives-back
Photo: courtesy of MCF
“Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration.” People have created foundations and charities, changed lives based on just an ounce of inspiration. But it’s their continued actions that make all the difference to those who need it most.
FUEL | NUTRITION work out »
Run, Fight or Flight
These workouts are declarations of personal warfare but also declarations of commitments to yourself
Photo: Caesar Lima Model: Mikaela Mayer
By Julie C. Trubkin
This is for your inner masochist. We all have one; some of us just indulge it more than others. Most of us just toy with the idea of the hardcore workout; it’s in the realm of ‘one day’. But, the sentiment amongst an increasing few in our otherwise slothful society is that anyone can do it. Workouts that model the intensity of a military training regime are increasingly sought out as a means to disrupt the repetitive structure of conventional training. Muay Thai, Spartan Racing and Parkour are three such distinctive outlets for those with a penchant for pain. All three can produce actual blood sweat and tears. All three pursue an inherent need for a personal challenge with a distinctive rawness and purity of spirit. While very much about the physical, they are ultimately about triumphing over the mental.
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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« work out
MUAY THAI
Exploring one’s multi-limbness, at the risk of being revered as a Hindu-god, can be both intriguing and intimidating. Where other martial arts focus on the art, Muay Thai is heavily focused on cardio and conditioning. A typical beginner class includes skipping, push-ups, and ab workouts, followed by an hour of exploring the art of Muay Thai. That includes everything from how to hold Thai pads, how to throw a punch and kick, how to train with a partner, to the very basics of what a fight stance is. Lee says that the more advanced workouts “become very anaerobic with a bootcamp style warm-up, including ‘burnouts’ designed to fatigue the participant. No matter how tired they are mentally, we make sure they push through.” “The sport is more mental than physical” says Lee, and that is reflected throughout TKMT’s members, whose youngest is four years old and eldest is 64. “Most people come here because they are bored with their regular gym routine. They want something more challenging, more social and a workout where you’re also learning something.” Lee has purposely created a more approachable experience to what is “originally a very intimidating, male-dominated sport, replete with sweaty grunting men and an overall dirty and unwelcoming energy.” Lee credits the huge female population at his gym with the fact his uncharacteristically clean and inclusive space is welcoming for both genders and for all levels of fitness. “I would definitely recommend Muay Thai even if you are not planning on fighting. I guarantee that it will whip you into shape quicker than anything else” says Mikaela Mayer, whose training led to a love of boxing. She is currently training full time for the 2012 Olympic boxing trials. “Physically as well as mentally, combat training will wear you out. The plus side is that you develop focus in the ring and that transfers to all aspects of your life.”
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Photo: Caesar Lima Model: Mikaela Mayer
There is a base satisfaction that is released during Muay Thai, a style of kickboxing that originated in Thailand and that literally translates to “the science of eight limbs.” Warren Lee, founder and president of Toronto Kickboxing and Muay Thai Academy (TKMT) says “this essentially means that one possesses eight weapons: two fists, two feet, two elbows and two knees.”
FUEL | NUTRITION »
In the afternoon I’d go for a reformer class at Pilates, then head over to Ceili Cottage (www. ceilicottage.com) for a drink (I’m a wine girl) and a plate of oysters. We’d sit on the patio—I like the sun, Josh would be under the umbrella—then it would be time for dinner. Lucky for me, Josh loves to cook. We might bake some hot wings and sweet potato fries in the oven. To end the day, a little stroll in the evening air for a scoop of spicy chocolate gelato at Ed’s Real Scoop (www.edsrealscoop.com), then
Photo: Brent Doscher
SPARTAN RACING
“A military obstacle course on steroids” is how Selica Sevigny, co-creator of the Spartan Race describes the muddy, high intensity event that has attracted participants aged 16 to 68, from single moms and amputees to Olympic sprint runners, Ironman finishers and professional football players. This year over a quarter of a million participants are expected in events across the US, Canada and the UK. The idea that if you can do this, you can do anything is the ultimate source of motivation. A love of hardcore conditioning led Bernard
Abarquez, a spirited advocate of pushing one’s self to the extreme, from Muay Thai to training for his first Spartan Race. “I think this race is an opportunity to actually utilize the conditioning that you do in training but don’t get to really use in a fight. So while it brings you to a certain performance level, doing push-ups or bear crawls can actually help with something like Spartan Racing because you’re going to be crawling under barbed wire.” The attraction to hardcore is growing but whether this appeal turns to action is contingent on breaking that mental block. “At the end of the day you are really competing against yourself and your self-imposed limitations,” says Sevigny. The Spartan Race is a hybrid obstacle course cross-country 5k race. “Races vary from the entry level 5k sprint with 15 obstacles that anyone can finish to the Spartan Death Race, 48 hours of pure hell” promises Sevigny. “It’s so important to intentionally expose yourself to challenges that will scare you and make you grow” touts Sevigny, and really it is this capacity to persevere beyond cramps, heaving, nausea, muscle exhaustion and more that is at the core of this event. Sevigny says that the race is “designed to test, push, challenge but not destroy you.” So adrenaline addicts rejoice and those harbouring serious apprehensions fear not, jump in anyway.
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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PARKOUR
Jumping is a perfectly reasonable way of travelling and pushing yourself to your limits. Parkour does just that. It looks as crazy as a bird flying into a window pane and continuing on unaffected—the cringe-worthy grace of Parkour appears random but is in actuality an elaborate series of strategically mapped out movements. David Belle, credited with creating the difficult to define sport in the 1980s, and devotees, known as Traceurs, see training potential everywhere. The sport is essentially about using the urban environment as a playground. Acrobatics in an urban space. Walls, fences, tree branches—ultimately anything can be used for this midair art form. The idea is
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to get from point A to point B while doing anything but walking in a straight line. Watching a Traceur in action is fascinating as they defy gravity and explore. Scrapes and bruises are par for the course. Dan Iaboni established PKTO in 2004 as a way to join the growing Parkour community in Southern Ontario. YouTubing some of the incredible videos of Parkour is the best way to get a sense of this sport, but it is only in actually doing it that one can fully appreciate it. Hardcore. The word literally says ‘hard to the core.’ The idea of dragging your entrails behind you while you heave yourself forward repeating “I can do this” is the image that comes to mind for most. But splattering your viscera à la Pollock is not the idea. At the core it is about obliterating obstacles; mental and physical, metaphorical and actual. The realization that we are our own biggest challenge in life is central to all three of these explorations in physical limitations. Warren Lee’s advice for the intimidated? “Come watch a class. All different body types and fitness levels can do it.” And Selica Sevigny’s take on the idea of intimidation all together? “I can see how people might be intimidated at first, but in a good way. I feel the word ‘intimidating’ has gotten a bad reputation. Something that’s intimidating should not always be considered a negative but rather looked at as a source of motivation to do the hard work required to develop into an incredible person.” So, be it swerving to miss a punch to the solar plex, dodging a gladiator or using a cement wall as an actual step, Muay Thai, the Spartan Race and Parkour are all training grounds for the unexpected. Disrupting the mundane and uncapping self-imposed limitations, all three seek out the seemingly impossible and make it not only possible, but achievable. It is all about triumphing over the self.
Photo: Matthew Brush
« work out
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ÂŤ coaches corner
GLIDE TO VICTORY
Learn the difficult breaststroke from an Olympic gold medalist 16
FITNESS | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
coaches corner »
The breaststroke can be a relaxing and gliding stroke, but in competition it’s a quick, intense motion that is a great exercise to expend energy. The basic three-step motion consists of a strong pull, a froglike kick and a long glide through the water. Though it may sound basic, 2008 Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Soni notes, “Timing and coordination are critical, and can be the difference between pure exhaustion and a successful stroke.”
PRACTICE LIKE AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION “When I’m in the midst of Olympic training, I’m in the pool twice a day for about 20 hours per week. In this non-Olympic year, I still spend 12 hours each week in the water. It’s a time commitment, but you need to know that before you get started.”
ABOUT THE COACH Rebecca Soni Since breaking in to the scene as an unexpected star of the 2008 U.S. Olympic swimming team, three-time Olympic medalist
Pull it in Never pull your arms back in the breaststroke. Rather, it’s important to focus on extension. Elevate the hips, lean on your torso and sweep your hands to a Y position above your head. Once there, lift elbows toward the water surface and begin the insweep, sculling your hands through the water. Think of it as a stomach crunch motion, and focus on taking the strain off of the arm muscles and onto the stronger core/torso muscles. Kick it out The kicking motion consists of two phases: bringing the feet into position for the thrust and then the insweep. Keeping your legs close together, pull them up toward your chest. As you prepare to thrust, kick legs out and apart before quickly squeezing them back together and lifting your hips out of the water (this is very frog-like). The insweep, or recovery phase, is all about minimizing movement. Point your toes and extend your arms.
making is lifting their head too high out of the water and looking forward. That really affects your drag. A good way to fix that is to imagine a wooden plank on your back that extends to your head and you can’t lift your neck past it. That will keep you looking down and slightly forward.”
Rebecca Soni has continued to build on her legend. One of the top two breaststrokers in the world, she was named the 2009 Female American Swimmer of the Year. The 23-year old native of Plainsboro, N.J., recently completed her senior year at the University of Southern California as a communications major.
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Let it ride Since the actual science of the breaststroke is one of the most exhausting swimming motions, minimizing energy expenditure (i.e., fewer strokes) is vital. You’ve hopefully produced maximum thrust during the insweep phase, and now you’re looking to minimize drag during extension. Think of your body as a torpedo, with your head down and low between your arms, and your body long and straight. COMMON FLAWS “The most common mistake I see people
www.360conditioning.com SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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« W.O.D.
Crossfit:
a Butt Kicking Like no Other Think you’re in great shape? Hope you like humble pie! By Ruth Sheridan C.A.
It was the summer of 2007. I had just completed an Ironman triathlon and was looking for something new, different and seriously challenging. I was searching for my next goal: my next ass kicking, but after ironman, what could be more grueling? Crossfit. That’s what. My first crossfit experience was at Steel City Crossfit in Dundas, Ontario, one of the few crossfit gyms around at that time. I was pretty nervous that first day because I had no idea what to expect, but, how bad could it be after what I had already endured? Right? Oh, so wrong. The trainer took me through the warmup – not so bad. Then trained me on a few movements I would be doing during the workout. Dead-lifts, box jumps and pullups – so far so good. And then it began in earnest. By the end of the workout—a lighteningfast and killer 12 minutes, and I was the last one to finish!—I was laying in the fetal position, in a pool of my own sweat, feeling like I had been hit by a truck, and wondering 18
what the hell had just happened to me. I thought I was fit, but this complete and total body pounding had me wondering. After that very humbling first session—and by the way, everyone is humbled by this sport—I continued with crossfit, faithfully. I changed my diet, going Paleolithic. Think hunter-gatherer. I ate only meat, fish, veggies, fruits, seeds and nuts. No starch, no grains and no sugar. I got stronger, faster and leaner than ever before - all within a few months and in a fraction of the training time. A 48-year-old accountant and mother of two teenage daughters, I was an unlikely candidate for this sport. But this hard core, Navy Seal-style training set to blaring Emimem is my passion, and I will stick with it because of the personal satisfaction it gives me. As a chartered accountant, I spent about 20 years in the corporate world doing everything from raising investment money for dot com companies to tax reorganizations. And though the desk job I left four years ago had its perks, there is
FITNESS | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | SUMMER 2011
nothing more gratifying than sharing the gift of health and fitness with others. In 2008 I received my certification, and now I make my living helping people change their lives for the better too, just like I did. I get to see them become empowered by their new-found strength, and that is a reward in itself. Log onto
SWEATEQUITYWEBTV.COM to view footage from crossfit connection
work out »
Net Worth Toronto FC Defenceman, Adrian Cann, fiercely guards his goals on and off the field
Photo: Liana Louzon Hair/Makeup: Greg B. represented by PUSH Management Location: Harley-Davidson of Toronto (416)445-4647
By Stephanie Dickison
That was a close one. Toronto FC has only been a Major League Soccer team since May 11, 2006, yet the Most Valuable Player of 2010, Adrian Cann, decided to abandon his team at training camp in Orlando, Florida this past March and return home to Toronto. A surprise to the league and his team-mates, it caused a flurry of upset and was a top sports story for days. Cann, the 30-year-old, Canadian international defender and number 12, was not happy with his contract negotiations. His four-year contract had been fine for the first year – the problems arose heading into his second year. The gamble paid off, and back with his team-mates a week later, shiny, new contract in hand, the 6-foot-3 player from Thornhill, has put the incident behind him. Perhaps it’s that he’s been at the game for so long now: playing soccer growing up in Thornhill, he went on to win a college soccer scholarship at the University of Louisville in 2000. He made quite an impression, winning the title of team MVP two years in a row. From there he played for the Louisville Cardinals, Colorado Rapids, Vancouver Whitecaps, Montreal Impact and in Europe for the Danish Esbjerg for three seasons. Debuting for Canada in January 2008 against Martinique, and signing on with the Toronto FC on April
12, 2010, it seems like he’s here to stay: for now. Though he’s said every city he’s played in has been a good city, none can top Toronto. Likely, the renegotiation has caused a rift between Cann, management and his teammates, but so far no one’s talking trash – it’s all tight smiles and business as usual. His grandstanding last March may have been because Cann felt, despite all the accolades, he was being underpaid. Or perhaps it was an ego move to see how valuable management really thinks he is. Either way, the controversy certainly got the player talked about, and perhaps feeling more like the MVP he is. Cann spends much of his time training for upcoming games, but he likes to spend his downtime cooking, hanging out with family and friends and riding his bike on the west side of the city. Off the field, he’s a pretty relaxed guy. On the field, he’s focused on winning and based on all the honours he’s stacked up over the years, it’s a goal that he continues to achieve. SE got the chance to get a sneak peek at how this superstar defenceman with model good looks, throws it down to keep in shape. SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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ÂŤ work out
THE
WORK OUT
THE CIRCUIT starts here
1.
Dumbbell squat to shoulder press
The workout routine that keeps Adrian Cann in tip top shape while he is on the road- can be performed with or without weights or resistance. Weights are recommended for those at the intermediate or advanced levels. As you progress, you may want to increase the resistance. In addition to this strengthtraining workout, you should include cardiovascular activity for 30 to 60 minutes, 3 to 5 days a week for additional fat loss and conditioning.
2.
Agility ladder
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3.
Mountain climbers
work out Âť
Warm up and cool down for at least 10 minutes. Beginners: 1 circuit, 8 to 12 reps Intermediates: 2 to 3 circuits, rest 60 to 90 seconds between circuits. Advanced: 3 to 4 circuits, rest 60 to 90 seconds between circuits.
4.
Shadow boxing
5.
Equipment provided by 360conditioning.com
Push ups
6.
Resistant tube bicep curls
Log onto
SWEATEQUITYWEBTV.COM to view behind the scenes footage
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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nutritious FUEL | NUTRITION living »
Summer Fling
Grillin’ and chillin’ in the good old summertime By Signe Langford
Photo: Andrew Meade
The Canadian summer is a brief and beautiful thing filled with pleasure and fraught with temptation and even a hazard or two. We want you to get the most from your barbecue, your summer va-ca or work out under the sun with delicious grilling ideas, healthy recipes for re-fuelling and tips for safe and happy trails.
SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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« nutritious living
Meat & Flames 101 The perfect steak. Here are the rules. By Signe Langford
rule 02 Never throw cold meat onto a grill. Let any meat—chicken, pork, but especially beef—come up to room temperature. If you like it blue to rare and don’t let it warm up, it will be cooked on the outside and cold on the inside. rule 03 Likewise, never throw a perfectly delightful piece of meat on a lukewarm grill. Patience Grasshoppa! Let the grill get smokin’ hot. You want to hear a tantalizing sizzle when that $30 hunk of free-range, grass-fed bovine flesh hits the bars. Unless you’re into gray, over-cooked, mushy meat. rule 04 Never salt the meat before grilling. Salt draws out moisture and that’s a big no-no. Pepper it, sure. But save the salting for after. Besides, this lets the eater determine their own sodium intake. rule 05 Never poke the meat. Again, patience! Stabbing and jabbing might make you feel like you’re doing something while standing there at the grill, but all it’s really achieving is the great escape – for all the wonderful, mouth-watering juices. Put down that fork and make scintillating conversation instead. 24
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rule 06 And while you’re at it, don’t turn the steak around and around. Let it sit in one position to develop a good crust and sexy grill marks. After a minute or two, lift a corner with tongs and take a peek. If it looks good to you, give it a half turn on the same side. That’ll give you those great-looking, restaurant, criss-cross grill lines. Flip and repeat. rule 07 Don’t know if it’s done? Blue, rare, mediumrare, medium, medium-well and well. Those last three donenesses are tantamount to sinning, so, don’t even go there. But how to tell if your meat is perfectly done? Stop! Put down that knife! Use the touch-test. It’s almost impossible to explain in words, so go to Youtube and take a look at any number of videos on the subject – I recommend Epicurious. rule 08 Rub the hot grill with a thickly folded rag, daubed with veg oil and rub the meat with a light coating of olive oil – use your hands – just before sprinkling with pepper or other dry spices. This does two things: helps prevent sticking to the grill and helps the spices adhere to the meat. rule 09 Let it rest. If that perfect specimen is going to be sliced up for serving two or more folks, let it rest for about five to ten minutes. If you start slicing as soon as it comes off the grill all the luscious juices will bleed out onto the cutting board. rule 10 Keep a spray bottle of water handy to douse out flare-ups. Charring is good, but soot from a flare up tastes like the fuel. And you know what Hank Hill says, you want to “Taste the meat, not the heat!” Now get out there and grill!
Photo: Ugurhan Betin/istockphoto.com
rule 01 For straight up tossing on the grill, use a well-marbled, tender and, well, more costly cut. If you’re up for a day of waiting while a protein-busting marinade does it’s magic on skirt or flank steak then great, those cuts are cheap and delicious. But if it’s a case of “Honey, I’m home! I brought steaks!” Then go for a buttery, bone-in rib eye or strip. If you’re a fat-phobe, splash out on tenderloin.
nutritious FUEL | NUTRITION living »
Healthy Paella
Recipe courtesy of Chef Romel Griarte, foodieextraordinaire and competitive pro muscle model. Um, the total package, in other words!
Here’s something you can make on your barbecue’s side burner, and this paella is as pretty as it is tasty and healthy. Look for Canadian sustainable spot prawns when they’re in season, as well as other Ocean Wise-approved seafood. Visit oceanwise.ca for a complete list of sustainable seafood.
Ingredients
1, 3-pound chicken breast, cut in half ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Spicy lean turkey sausages, thickly sliced 1 Spanish onion, diced 4 garlic cloves, crushed Bunch flat-leaf parsley leaves (remove stems), chopped, reserve about ¼ for garnish 1, 15-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and hand-crushed 4 cups short grain brown rice 6 cups warm water Generous pinch saffron threads 1 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and de-veined 2, 3 oz pieces of black cod (or other sustainable white fish) fillets, roughly diced ½ cup sweet peas, fresh or frozen and thawed Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Lemon wedges for garnish
Special equipment
Tip: for a richer flavour use low-fat or fat-free chicken broth instead of water.
Large paella pan or wide shallow skillet Method
Heat oil in paella pan over medium-high heat. Sauté turkey sausage until browned, remove from pan and set aside. Season chicken with salt and pepper, add to pan, and brown on all sides, turning with tongs. Once browned, but not cooked through, remove from pan and set aside with the sausage. In the same pan, sauté onions, garlic, and parsley over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until the mixture caramelizes a bit and the flavors meld. Stir in the rice to coat the grains. Pour in water and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring gently so the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the liquid. Add chicken, lean spicy turkey sausage, and saffron. Add the clams and shrimp, tucking them into the rice. The shrimp will take about 8 minutes to cook and the clams will open when they are done, about 8 minutes. Give the paella a good shake and let it simmer, without stirring, until the rice is al dente, about 15 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, when the rice is starting to expand and fill the pan, add the black cod. When the paella is cooked and the rice looks fluffy and moist, turn the heat up for 40 seconds until you can smell the rice toasting on the bottom of the pan: now it’s perfect! Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with peas, parsley and lemon wedges. SUMMER 2011 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | FITNESS
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« NUTRITIOus living | fuel
A green smoothie for a tasty (yes, really!) super-boost By Joy McCarthy, Holistic Nutritionist RNCP CNP
Tip: Using cold ingredients, frozen grapes or adding ice will make this as refreshing as it is healthy.
Nothing beats using whole, real food in your smoothies. This one is delicious and nutritious. Ingredients: 1 cup of kale leaves, removed from stems Small handful of spinach 2 tbsp. fresh parsley or mint 1 cup green grapes 1/2 pear, cored not peeled 1 tbsp. protein powder blend, I prefer Sunwarrior which is a sprouted brown rice protein powder 1 cup cold nut milk 1 drop of stevia, optional Place all your ingredients into a blender and mix until fully blended. Add water if necessary to rich desired consistency. Enjoy right away. Per Serving (250mL)
120 calories, 11g fat (2g sat), 11mg sodium , 1g fibre, 1g protein 26
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Photo: rolfbodmer/istockphoto.com
Green Machine
Green smoothies are in! They’re even available— pre-mixed, powdered and packing some unpleasant surprises—at the big box stores. If you must choose readymade, look for hidden sugars, sodium and preservatives, and prepare yourself for a serious case of sticker shock! We say, stick with homemade from whole foods. Eating real food ensures you get the added benefits of enzymes, a plethora of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
supplemental income | NUTRITIous living »
Travel Companions Supplement your travels with these natural remedies By Dr. Jean-Jacques Dugoua HBSc ND PhD
We believe in travelling light, but to ensure good health on the road, pack some supplements. Bottles can be big and bulky, so buy a pillbox or simply use an airtight plastic baggie. Dr. JJ shares his top five picks – especially when you’re hitting the road less travelled.
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Photo (suitcase): Andrew Meade
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Probiotics Live probiotics are healthy bacteria that populate our intestinal tract. Most infections contracted abroad, particularly traveller’s diarrhoea, are due to our bodies not being accustomed to the bacterial inhabitants of disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli. Make sure you choose a probiotic that does not require refrigeration. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for daily tips from our experts!
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Digestive Enzymes You’re in an exotic locale, trying new foods and expanding your palate – great! Unfortunately, your body is having difficulties digesting all these new found delights. Digestive enzymes can help your body break down these unfamiliar foods. Look for a digestive enzyme that includes strains designed to break down carbohydrates (amylase), fats (lipase) and protein (protease) and try to take it before eating.
Glutamine Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body, and it serves as fuel to the cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Glutamine is also very effective at stopping diarrhoea. Take some at the first signs of tummy trouble. Ginger You may be travelling by air, sea or land – no matter how you get there, you might fall victim to motion sickness. Studies have shown that ginger may be useful for the prevention and treatment of mild to moderate cases of motion sickness. Pack a ginger capsule or ask for fresh ginger or a soothing cup of ginger tea. Immune combo Stress, lack of sleep, food and water contaminants or a new environment are enough to put a strain on your immune system. Carry a good immune combo with you, which should include goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, garlic, echinacea, astragalus, and American ginseng.
Dr. JJ works with researchers at the Motherisk Program at Sick Kids Hospital. Director of Clinical Pharmacology and Naturopathic Medicine at Newtopia, and the Liberty Clinic in Toronto, Dr. JJ is the first Naturopathic Doctor to practice at the Toronto Western Hospital in the Artist Health Centre. info@askdrjj.com
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